Ric Ocasek’s Cause of Death From Natural Causes Revealed to Be Heart Disease

The Cars’ frontman Ric Ocasek’s cause of death has been revealed after his tragic passing this past weekend. The New York City medical examiner’s office reported the death was caused by heart disease, making it a natural cause. In a press release, Ocasek died of hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease along with a condition of pulmonary emphysema. Ocasek was found unresponsive in bed by the New York City Police Department and was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 75.

Ex-wife Paulina Porizkova posted on Instagram earlier today that he had been recuperating at home following surgery. She was at home caring for her children when she found him while bringing coffee. “I touched his cheek to rouse him. It was then I realized that during the night he had peacefully passed on,” she stated. Porizkova also shared a photo of flowers outside the home.

Since forming in 1976, The Cars went on to achieve commercial success, spawning hits “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “You Might Think,” “Why Can’t I Have You” and “Drive.”After an initial breakup in 1988 and the death of original bandmate Benjamin Orr in 2000, Elliot Easton and Greg Hawkes went on to form a new band with Utopia’s Todd Rundgren called The New Cars. The New Cars went on a small tour performing classic hits from The Cars as well as Rundgren’s discography.

The original members of the band then reunited in 2010 and released their album Move Like This in 2011.  The group went on to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year alongside Bon Jovi, The Moody Blues, Dire Straits, and Nina Simone, which also marked their last performance before Ocasek’s death. Weezer’s Scott Shriner filled in for Orr’s playing the bass for the performance.  As of now, the band has sold over 23 million records worldwide with seven full-length albums.