Coroner Says Tom Petty Died From an Accidental Opioid Overdose

Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductee and singer-songwriter Tom Petty passed away in October of 2017 to cardiac arrest at his home in Southern California. According to the New York Times, recently released records from the coroners office have concluded that Petty in fact died from an accidental overdose of prescription medication. Jonathan Lucas, the coroner, found seven different kinds of drugs in Petty’s system. The report states that he had traces of fentanyl, oxycodone, temazepam, alprazolam, citalopram, acetyl fentanyl and despropionyl fentanyl in his system.

In a statement made by family members, Petty’s health condition at the time is explained at length. It made note that Petty’s most significant health issue was his fractured hip, which he was diagnosed with on the day of his death. He also suffered from emphysema and knee problems. The 66 year old had wrapped up a tour at the Hollywood Bowl a week prior to his death with his long time band The Heartbreakers and his family-members believe touring led to the overwhelming pain he endured in his hip, particularly on the day of his death. The Facebook post stated that “on the day he died he was informed his hip had graduated to a full on break and it is our feeling that the pain was simply unbearable and was the cause for his overmedication.”

Photo Credit: Brett Padelford