We lost a true legend recently when Rock & Roll Hall Fame musician Tom Petty passed away after suffering from cardiac arrest. Much speculation came surrounding the artist’s death, and now we finally have some answers.
The Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers frontman died an , according to the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner. A fatal dose several pain medications, including Fentanyl, oxycodone and generic Xanax, led to the singer’s death. Restoril (a sleep aid) and generic Celexa (which treats depression) were also found in his system.
In the updated case death , the coroner’s fice ficially lists Petty’s death as “multisystem organ failure due to resuscitated cardiopulmonary arrest due to mixed drug toxicity.”
The rock star had been prescribed drugs to treat knee issues, a fractured hip, and emphysema — the drugs helped him power through and complete his 40th anniversary tour.
Petty died at the age 66 on October 2, 2017. He was laid to rest on October 16, 2017 in Pacific Palisades, California.
Petty’s wife Dana and daughter Adria released a joint statement in wake the ficial cause death announcement…
Our family sat together this morning with the medical examiner – coroner’s fice and we were informed their final analysis that Tom Petty passed away due to an accidental drug overdose as a result taking a variety medications.
Unfortunately Tom’s body suffered from many serious ailments including emphysema, knee problems and most significantly a fractured hip.
Despite this painful injury he insisted on keeping his commitment to his fans and he toured for 53 dates with a fractured hip and, as he did, it worsened to a more serious injury.
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 over use medication.
We knew before the report was shared with us that he was prescribed various pain medications for a multitude issues including fentanyl patches and we feel confident that this was, as the coroner found, an unfortunate accident.
As a family we recognize this report may spark a further discussion on the opioid crisis and we feel that it is a healthy and necessary discussion and we hope in some way this report can save lives. Many people who overdose begin with a legitimate injury or simply do not understand the potency and deadly nature these medications.
On a positive note we now know for certain he went painlessly and beautifully exhausted after doing what he loved the most, for one last time, performing live with his unmatchable rock band for his loyal fans on the biggest tour his 40 plus year career. He was extremely proud that achievement in the days before he passed.
We continue to mourn with you and marvel at Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers incredible positive impact on music and the world. And we thank you all for your love and support over the last months.
Thank you also for respecting the memory a man who was truly great during his time on this planet both publicly and privately.
We would be grateful if you could respect the privacy the entire Heartbreaker family during this difficult time.
Dana Petty and Adria Petty
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