The following is a list of notable people who have died from drug-related causes.
Name |
Life |
Profession |
Cause of death |
Reference |
Herb Abrams |
1954–1996 |
Professional wrestling promoter |
Cocaine related heart attack. |
[1][2] |
Janet Achurch |
1864–1916 |
Actor |
Morphine overdose. |
[3] |
Brian Adams |
1963–2007 |
Professional wrestler |
Painkiller overdose. Accidental. |
[4] |
Nick Adams |
1931–1968 |
Actor |
Barbituate overdose. Death officially certified as "accidental-suicidal and undetermined". High levels of sedatives were found in his blood. |
[5] |
Stuart Adamson |
1958–2001 |
Musician (Big Country) |
Hanged himself under the influence of alcohol. |
[6] |
Michael Adkisson, aka Mike Von Erich |
1964–1987 |
Professional wrestler |
Tranquilizer overdose. Suicide. |
[7] |
George Albert, aka George V |
1865–1936 |
King |
Cocaine and morphine overdose. Euthanasia. |
[8] |
Asa A. Allen |
1911–1970 |
Evangelist |
Liver failure due to acute alcoholism. |
[9] |
Dennis Allen |
1951–1987 |
Drug dealer |
Heart failure. "Pieces of his heart actually broke off after decades of heavy drug abuse". |
[10] |
Ryūnosuke Akutagawa |
1892–1927 |
Writer |
Veronal overdose. Suicide. |
[11] |
William Barnsley Allen |
1892–1933 |
Army officer |
Unspecified narcotic overdose. Accidental. |
[12] |
Pier Angeli |
1932–1971 |
Actress |
Died of anaphylactic shock after being given a tranquilizer by her doctor. |
[13][14] |
Matthew Ansara |
1965–2001 |
Actor |
Heroin overdose. Accidental. |
[15] |
Chris Antley |
1966–2000 |
Jockey |
Severe blunt trauma. The coroner's report concluded that Antley had died of a multiple drug overdose and the injuries were likely related to a fall caused by the drugs. |
[16] |
Jean Améry |
1912–1978 |
Writer |
Sleeping pill overdose. Suicide. |
[17] |
Diane Arbus |
1923–1971 |
Photographer |
Consumed a number of barbiturates and then slit her wrists. Suicide. |
[18] |
West Arkeen |
1960–1997 |
Musician |
Opiate overdose. Accidental |
[19] |
Howard Arkley |
1951–1999 |
Painter |
Heroin overdose. Accidental. |
[20] |
Kevyn Aucoin |
1962–2002 |
Photographer, make-up artist |
Kidney and liver failure due to Tylenol toxicity, as a result of a prescription painkiller addiction. |
[21] |
Name |
Life |
Profession |
Cause of death |
Reference |
Karen Bach, aka Karen Lancaume |
1973–2005 |
Pornographic actress |
Temazepam overdose. Suicide. |
[22] |
Chet Baker |
1929–1988 |
Jazz trumpeter, singer, guitarist |
Fatal fall from a balcony while under the influence of cocaine and heroin. |
[23][24] |
Lester Bangs |
1948–1982 |
Music critic, musician |
Overdose of Darvon, Valium and NyQuil. |
[25] |
Robert Barlow |
1918–1951 |
Author |
Overdose of barbiturates. Suicide. |
[26] |
Sid Barnes |
1916–1973 |
Cricketer |
Barbiturate and bromide poisoning. Self-administered though intent could not be determined. |
[27] |
Jean-Michel Basquiat |
1960–1988 |
Painter |
Heroin overdose. |
[28] |
Michael Carl Baze |
1987–2011 |
Jockey |
Cocaine and oxymorphone overdose. Accidental. |
[29] |
Jan Paul Beahm, aka Darby Crash |
1958–1980 |
Musician (The Germs) |
Heroin overdose. Suicide. |
[30][31] |
Scotty Beckett |
1929–1968 |
Former child actor |
Suspected overdose. Pills and a note were found next to his body however the coroner's report was not released. |
[32] |
Steve Bechler |
1979–2003 |
Major League Baseball pitcher |
Heatstroke. The coroner indicated that "the toxicity of ephedra played a significant role" among many factors in contributing to his death. |
[33] |
Brendan Behan |
1923–1964 |
Poet, writer |
Diabetes exacerbated by his refusal to stop drinking alcohol. |
[34] |
Gertrude Bell |
1868–1926 |
Writer |
Overdose of sleeping pills. Whether it was an accident or suicide was undetermined. |
[35] |
John Belushi |
1949–1982 |
Actor, comedian |
Speedball. Accidental. |
[36] |
Jay Bennett |
1963–2009 |
Guitarist (Wilco) |
Fentanyl overdose. Accidental |
[37] |
Wes Berggren |
1971–1999 |
Musician (Tripping Daisy) |
Overdose. Traces of cocaine, propoxyphene, and benzodiazepine were found in his body. |
[38] |
George Best |
1946–2005 |
Football player |
Lung infection and multiple organ failure brought on by long-term alcoholism. |
[39] |
Leah Betts |
1977–1995 |
Student |
Excessive water consumption exacerbated by ecstasy causing her body to release anti-diuretic hormones. |
[40] |
Len Bias |
1963–1986 |
Basketball player |
Cocaine overdose. Accidental. |
[41] |
Scott Charles Bigelow, aka Bam Bam Bigelow |
1961–2007 |
Professional wrestler |
Overdose. Lethal levels of cocaine and an anxiolytic drug were found in his blood. |
[42] |
Robert Bingham |
1966–1999 |
Writer |
Heroin overdose. |
[43] |
Ted Binion |
1943–1998 |
Gambling executive |
Heroin and Xanax overdose. Possible suicide. |
[44] |
Count Gottfried von Bismarck |
1962–2007 |
Aristocrat |
Cocaine and morphine overdose. |
[45] |
Walter Patrick Bissell |
1957–1987 |
Ballet dancer |
Overdose of cocaine, codeine, methadone and other drugs. |
[46] |
Erica Blasberg |
1984–2010 |
Golfer |
Asphixia and toxic levels of "butalbital, temazepam, alprazolam, codeine, hydrocodone, and tramadol". Suicide. |
[47] |
Celia Ann Blaylock, aka Mattie Blaylock |
1850–1888 |
Prostitute |
Opiate poisoning. Suicide. |
[48] |
Mike Bloomfield |
1943–1981 |
Blues guitarist |
Unspecified drug overdose. |
[49] |
Carl Böhm, aka Carl Crack |
1971–2001 |
Musician (Atari Teenage Riot) |
Overdose. Alcohol and unspecified pills were found in his stomach. |
[50] |
Tommy Bolin |
1951–1976 |
Musician (Deep Purple) |
Unspecified drug overdose. |
[51] |
John Bonham |
1948–1980 |
Drummer (Led Zeppelin) |
Choked on his own vomit after consuming forty shots of vodka. |
[52] |
Derek Boogaard |
1982–2011 |
Ice hockey player |
Toxic mix of alcohol and oxycodone. Accidental. |
[53] |
Jennie Bosschieter |
1882–1900 |
Factory worker |
Overdose of drugged liquor. |
[54] |
Christopher Bowman |
1967–2008 |
Former professional ice skater |
Overdose. Traces of cocaine, Valium, alcohol and cannabis were found in his blood. Accidental. |
[55] |
Charles Boyer |
1899–1978 |
Actor |
Seconal overdose. Suicide. |
[56] |
Duncan Gordon Boyes |
1846–1869 |
Soldier |
Delirium tremens. |
[57] |
Elisa Bridges |
1973–2002 |
Model |
"Acute intoxication by the combined effects of heroin, methamphetamine, meperidine and alprazolam". |
[58][59] |
Dianne Brimble |
1960–2002 |
Mother |
Combination of gamma-Hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and alcohol. |
[60] |
Erik Brødreskift |
1969–1999 |
Musician |
Overdose of unspecified pills. Suicide. |
[61] |
Lenny Bruce |
1925–1966 |
Comedian |
"Acute morphine poisoning caused by an accidental overdose." |
[62] |
Julia Bruns |
1895–1927 |
Actress |
Alcohol poisoning. |
[63] |
Tim Buckley |
1947–1975 |
Musician |
"Acute heroin/morphine and ethanol intoxication due to inhalation and ingestion of overdose". |
[64] |
Richard Burton |
1925–1984 |
Actor |
Alcohol related causes. |
[65] |
Chad Butler, aka Pimp C |
1973–2007 |
Rapper |
Respiratory depression due to an accidental overdose of promethazine and codeine mixed with a pre-existing medical condition, sleep apnea. |
[66][67] |
Paul Butterfield |
1942–1987 |
Musician |
Drug related heart failure. |
[68][69] |
Name |
Life |
Profession |
Cause of death |
Reference |
Andrés Caicedo |
1951–1977 |
Writer |
Secobarbital overdose. Suicide. |
[70] |
Casey Calvert |
1981–2007 |
Guitarist (Hawthorne Heights) |
A rare lethal mixture of hydrocodone/APAP, citalopram, and clonazepam. Accidental. |
[71] |
Ken Caminiti |
1963–2004 |
Former Major League Baseball player. |
Cocaine and opiate overdose. |
[72] |
Max Cantor |
1959–1991 |
Actor, journalist |
Heroin overdose. |
[73] |
Truman Capote |
1924–1984 |
Writer |
Liver disease complicated by phlebitis and multiple drug intoxication. |
[74] |
John Cassavetes |
1929–1989 |
Writer, actor, director |
Cirrhosis of liver due to alcoholism |
|
Vic Chesnutt |
1964–2009 |
Musician |
Overdose of prescription medication. Suicide. |
[75] |
Maria Christina, aka Missy |
1967–2008 |
Pornographic actress |
Unspecified prescription drug overdose. Accidental. |
[76] |
Diana Churchill |
1909–1963 |
Naval officer |
Barbiturate overdose. Suicide. |
[77] |
Sally Clark |
1964–2007 |
Solicitor |
Alcohol poisoning. |
[78] |
Sonny Clark |
1931–1963 |
Pianist |
Alcohol abuse; an attempt to conteract his heroin dependancy. |
[79] |
Steve Clark |
1960–1991 |
Musician (Def Leppard) |
Lethal overdose of codeine, along with valium and morphine and alcohol at more than 3 times the legal British limit. Accidental. |
[61][80] |
Charmian Clift |
1923–1969 |
Writer |
Unspecified drug overdose. Suicide. |
[81] |
Vander Clyde, aka Barbette |
1899–1973 |
Trapeze artist |
Unspecified drug overdose. Suicide. |
[82] |
Kurt Cobain |
1967–1994 |
Musician (Nirvana) |
Self-inflicted (disputed) shotgun wound to the head under the influence of a potentially lethal dose of heroin with traces of diazepam. |
[83] |
Bob Collins |
1946–2007 |
Politician |
Prescription drug and alcohol overdose. Suicide. |
[84] |
Natasha Collins |
1973–2008 |
Actress |
Cocaine overdose. Accidental. |
[85] |
Brian Cole |
1942–1972 |
Musician (the Association) |
Heroin overdose. |
[86] |
Douglas Glenn Colvin, aka Dee Dee Ramone |
1951–2002 |
Musician (the Ramones) |
Heroin overdose. |
[87] |
Michael Cooper |
1941–1973 |
Photographer |
Heroin overdose. |
[88] |
Megan Connolly |
1974–2001 |
Actress |
Heroin overdose. |
[89] |
Nancy Ann Coursey, aka Paige Summers |
1976–2003 |
Pornographic actress |
Codeine and oxycodone overdose. |
[90] |
Pamela Courson |
1946–1974 |
Retail. Wife of Jim Morrison |
Heroin overdose. |
[91] |
Nancy Crick |
1932–2002 |
Euthanasia activist |
Overdose of nembutal. Euthanasia. |
[92] |
Robbin Crosby |
1959–2002 |
Musician (Ratt) |
Reported causes of his death include heroin overdose,[93][94] and AIDS-related complications,[95][96] which he admitted to contracting from shooting drugs.[97] |
|
Bartley Crum |
1900–1959 |
Lawyer |
Washed down an entire bottle of Seconal with whisky. Suicide. |
[98] |
William Cuppy |
1884–1949 |
Literary critic |
Sleeping pill overdose. Suicide. |
[99] |
Patricia Cutts |
1926–1974 |
Actress |
Barbiturate overdose. Suicide. |
[100] |
Name |
Life |
Profession |
Cause of death |
Reference |
Lin Dai |
1934–1964 |
Actress |
Sleeping pill overdose combined with gas inhalation. |
[101] |
Jacques Damala |
1855–1889 |
Actor |
Cocaine and morphine overdose. |
[102] |
Dorothy Dandridge |
1922–1965 |
Actress, singer |
Overdose of Imipramine. Accidental. |
[103] |
Robert Earl Davis, Jr., aka DJ Screw |
1971–2000 |
Musician |
Overdose of codeine and other drugs. Accidental. |
[104] |
Jesse Ed Davis |
1944–1988 |
Guitarist |
Heroin overdose. |
[105] |
Jeanine Deckers, aka The Singing Nun |
1933–1985 |
Nun |
Overdose of barbiturates and alcohol. Suicide. |
[106][107] |
Thierry de la Villehuchet |
1943–2008 |
Businessman |
Swallowed sleeping pills and slit his left arm. Suicide. |
[108] |
Paul DeMayo |
1967–2005 |
Former bodybuilder |
Heroin overdose. |
[109] |
Ted Demme |
1963–2002 |
Director |
Heart attack. Cocaine was found in his system which the coroner stated may have been a factor in his death. Accidental. |
[110] |
Daniel Deniehy |
1828–1865 |
Politician |
"[L]oss of blood and fits induced by habits of intemperance" |
[111] |
Teri Diver |
1971–2001 |
Pornographic actress |
Migraine medication overdose. Accidental. |
[112] |
Kiki Djan |
1957–2004 |
Musician |
AIDS and narcotic related complications. |
[113] |
Desmond Donnelly |
1920–1974 |
Politician, journalist |
Barbiturate and alcohol overdose. Suicide. |
[114] |
Tommy Dorsey |
1905–1956 |
Jazz musician |
Choked to death while sleeping. He was so sedated on sleeping pills that he was unable to awaken. |
[115] |
John Dougherty |
19??–1997 |
Musician (Flipper) |
Heroin overdose. |
[116] |
Eric Douglas |
1958–2004 |
Comedian |
Acute intoxication by the effects of alcohol, tranquilizers and painkillers. |
[117] |
Nick Drake |
1948–1974 |
Musician |
Anti-depressant overdose. Disputed suicide. |
[118] |
Michael Dransfield |
1948–1973 |
Poet |
Sources report conflicting causes of death, including infection related to drug use and "acute broncho-pneumonia and brain damage". |
[119][120] |
Jonathan Drummond-Webb |
1959–2009 |
Pediatric heart surgeon |
Unspecified prescription drug overdose. Suicide. |
[121] |
Kevin DuBrow |
1955–2007 |
Singer |
Cocaine overdose. Accidental. |
[61][122] |
Bobby Duncum, Jr. |
1965–2000 |
Professional wrestler |
Prescription painkiller overdose. Accidental. |
[123][124] |
Theresa Duncan |
1966–2007 |
Video game designer |
Combined ingestion of Tylenol PM and alcohol. Suicide. |
[125] |
Ryan Dunn |
1977–2011 |
Actor, stunt man |
Car crash. Dunn had a blood alcohol level of 0.196%, more than twice the legal limit where he was killed. |
[126] |
Anthony Durante |
1967–2003 |
Professional wrestler |
Fentanyl overdose. |
[127] |
Guru Dutt |
1925–1964 |
Actor |
Overdose of sleeping pills and alcohol. |
[128] |
Name |
Life |
Profession |
Cause of death |
Reference |
Chris Farley |
1964–1997 |
Comedian, actor |
Cocaine and morphine overdose. |
[133] |
Pete Farndon |
1952–1983 |
Musician (the Pretenders) |
Passed out in his bath due to a heroin overdose and subsequently drowned. |
[134] |
Rainer Werner Fassbinder |
1945–1982 |
Playwright, director |
Cocaine overdose. Possibly suicide. |
[135] |
Brenda Fassie |
1964–2004 |
Singer |
Initial press reports cited complications of asthma attack while a later autopsy "mentioned cocaine overdose". |
[136] |
Edward Fatu, aka Umaga |
1973–2009 |
Professional wrestler |
"Acute toxicity due to combined effects of hydrocodone, carisoprodol, and diazepam." Accidental. |
[137] |
Althea Flynt |
1953–1987 |
Co-publisher of Hustler magazine |
Drowned in the bath after passing out due to a heroin overdose. |
[138] |
Steve Foley |
1959–2008 |
Drummer |
Unspecified drug overdose. Accidental. |
[139] |
Zac Foley |
1971–2002 |
Musician (EMF) |
Overdose. Heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, barbiturates and alcohol were found in his blood. |
[140][141] |
Rosemarie Frankland |
1943–2000 |
Actress |
Unspecified prescription drug overdose. Suicide. |
[142] |
Seán Fortune |
1954–1999 |
Priest |
Overdose of alcohol and unspecified drugs. Suicide. |
[143] |
Katy French |
1983–2007 |
Model, socialite |
Brain damage most likely caused by cocaine use. |
[144][145] |
Sigmund Freud |
1856–1939 |
Neurologist |
Physician assisted morphine overdose. Euthanasia. |
[146] |
Gary Frisch |
1969–2007 |
Website founder |
Jumped from a balcony while under the influence of ketamine. Officially ruled as misadventure. |
[147][148][149] |
Name |
Life |
Profession |
Cause of death |
Reference |
Danny Gans |
1956–2009 |
Impressionist, entertainer. |
Prescription hydromorphone use combined with pre-existing heart condition. Accidental. |
[150] |
Paul Gardiner |
1958–1984 |
Musician (Tubeway Army) |
Heroin overdose. |
[151] |
Judy Garland |
1922–1969 |
Singer and actress |
Secobarbital overdose.[152] Her death certificate states the overdose was "accidental"[153] however there is speculation it was intentional.[154] |
|
Lowell George |
1945–1979 |
Musician (Little Feat) |
Unspecified drug overdose. Accidental. |
[155] |
Talitha Getty |
1940–1971 |
Actress |
Heroin overdose. |
[156] |
Iolanda Christina Gigliotti, aka Dalida |
1933–1987 |
Singer |
Barbiturate overdose. Suicide. |
[157][158] |
Harold Gimblett |
1914–1978 |
Cricketer |
Overdose of unspecified pills. |
[159] |
Trevor Goddard |
1962–2003 |
Actor |
Overdose of heroin, cocaine, valium and vicodin. Accidental. |
[160] |
Greg Giraldo |
1965–2010 |
Comedian |
Overdose of prescription medication. Accidental. |
[161] |
Dwayne Goettel |
1964–1995 |
Musician (Skinny Puppy) |
Heroin overdose. |
[162] |
Adam Goldstein, aka DJ AM |
1973–2009 |
Disc Jockey |
Overdose of cocaine/levamisole, oxycodone, hydrocodone, lorazepam, clonazepam, alprazolam and diphenhydramine. Accidental. |
[163] |
Paul Gray |
1972–2010 |
Musician (Slipknot) |
Morphine and fentanyl overdose. Accidental. |
[164] |
Lucy Grealy |
1963–2002 |
Poet |
Heroin overdose. |
[165] |
Eddie Guerrero |
1967–2005 |
Professional wrestler |
"Heart disease, complicated by an enlarged heart resulting from a history of anabolic steroid use." |
[166] |
Name |
Life |
Profession |
Cause of death |
Reference |
Clinton Haines |
1976–1997 |
Computer hacker |
Heroin overdose. Accidental. |
[167][168] |
Kenneth Halliwell |
1926–1967 |
Actor |
Pentobarbital overdose. Suicide. |
[169] |
William Hamilton |
1805–1865 |
Physicist, astronomer, mathematician |
"A severe attack of gout precipitated by excessive drinking..." |
[170] |
Edward A. Hannegan |
1807–1857 |
Senator |
Morphine overdose. |
[171] |
Tony Hancock |
1924–1968 |
Actor |
Lethal mixture of amphetamines and liquor. Suicide. |
[172] |
James Harden-Hickey |
1854–1898 |
Author, adventurer |
Morphine overdose. Suicide. |
[173] |
Bobby Hatfield |
1940–2003 |
Musician (The Righteous Brothers) |
Cocaine-induced heart attack. |
[174] |
Malcolm Hardee |
1950–2005 |
Comedian |
Drowned after he fell into the water whilst drunk. |
[175] |
Tim Hardin |
1941–1980 |
Musician |
Heroin overdose. |
[176] |
Brynn Hartman |
1958–1998 |
Wife and murderer of comedian Phil Hartman |
Self-inflicted gunshot wound to her head under the influence of cocaine, alcohol and Zoloft. |
[177] |
Domino Harvey |
1969–2005 |
Bounty hunter |
Fentanyl overdose. |
[178] |
Rodney Harvey |
1967–1998 |
Actor, model |
Heroin overdose. |
[179] |
Phyllis Haver |
1899–1960 |
Actress |
Barbiturate overdose. Suspected suicide. |
[180] |
Elizabeth Hawes |
1903–1971 |
Clothing designer |
"Alcohol-related causes". |
[181] |
James Hayden |
1953–1983 |
Actor |
Heroin overdose. |
[182] |
Paul Hayward |
19??–1992 |
Rugby league player |
Heroin overdose. |
[183] |
Mitch Hedberg |
1968–2005 |
Comedian |
Cocaine and heroin overdose. |
[184][185] |
Tim Hemensley |
1972–2003 |
Musician (GOD) |
Heroin overdose. |
[186] |
Margaux Hemingway |
1954–1996 |
Actress |
Phenobarbital overdose. Disputed suicide. |
[187] |
Jimi Hendrix |
1942–1970 |
Musician |
Respiratory arrest caused by alcohol and barbiturate overdose and vomit inhalation. |
[188] |
Curt Hennig |
1958–2003 |
Professional wrestler |
Cocaine overdose. |
[189] |
James Leo Herlihy |
1927–1993 |
Novelist, actor |
Overdose of sleeping pills. Suicide. |
[190][191] |
Gino Hernandez |
1957–1986 |
Professional wrestler |
Cocaine overdose. |
[192] |
George Hickenlooper |
1963–2010 |
Documentary filmmaker |
Oxymorphone and alcohol overdose. Accidental. |
[193] |
Ureli Hill |
1802–1875 |
Conductor |
Morphine overdose. Suicide. |
[194] |
Virginia Hill |
1916–1966 |
Chicago Outfit courier |
Sleeping pill overdose. |
[195] |
Jane Aiken Hodge |
1917–2009 |
Writer |
Unspecified drug overdose. Suicide. |
[196] |
Abbie Hoffman |
1936–1989 |
Political activist |
Phenobarbital overdose. Suicide. |
[197] |
Billie Holiday |
1915–1959 |
Jazz singer |
Cirrhosis of the liver caused by alcoholism. |
[198] |
John Curtis Holder, Jr., aka Jackie Curtis |
1947–1985 |
Actor |
Heroin overdose. |
[199] |
Gary Holton |
1952–1985 |
Actor and musician |
Heroin overdose. |
[200] |
James Honeyman-Scott |
1956–1982 |
Musician (the Pretenders) |
Cocaine-induced heart attack. |
[201] |
Shannon Hoon |
1967–1995 |
Musician, singer (Blind Melon) |
Cocaine overdose. |
[202] |
Sebastian Horsley |
1962–2010 |
Artist |
Heroin and cocaine overdose. |
[203] |
Lisa Howard |
1930–1965 |
Reporter |
Phenobarbital overdose. Officially listed as suicide but speculated as murder. |
[204] |
Howard Hughes |
1905–1976 |
Aviator, engineer, industrialist, movie producer |
Liver failure. Physician administered an overdose of codeine at "the highest clinical level ever recorded" at the time. |
[205] |
Gertrude Hullett |
1906–1956 |
Patient of Dr. John Bodkin Adams |
Twice the fatal dose of sodium barbitone was found in her blood. |
[206] |
Elizabeth Hulette, aka Miss Elizabeth |
1960–2003 |
Professional wrestling manager |
Acute toxicity. Autopsy revealed pain killers, nausea medication and tranquilizers were found in her blood, along with an alcohol level of 0.29. |
[207] |
Harold Hunter |
1974–2006 |
Professional skateboarder, actor |
Cocaine-induced heart attack. |
[208] |
Michael Hutchence |
1960–1997 |
Musician, singer (INXS), actor |
Self-induced asphyxiation while under the influence of alcohol, cocaine, Prozac and other prescription drugs. |
[209] |
Phyllis Hyman |
1949–1995 |
Singer |
Pentobarbital and secobarbital overdose. Suicide. |
[210] |
Name |
Life |
Profession |
Cause of death |
Reference |
Deborah Laake |
1953–2000 |
Writer |
Overdose of unspecified pills. Suicide. |
[241][242] |
Alan Ladd |
1913–1964 |
Actor |
Overdose of alcohol and three unspecified drugs. Accidental. |
[243] |
Josiah Lamborn |
1809–1847 |
Attorney General |
Delirium tremens. |
[244] |
Carole Landis |
1919–1948 |
Actress |
Seconal overdose. Suicide. |
[245] |
Michael Larsen aka Eyedea |
1981–2010 |
Rapper |
Unspecified opiate toxicity. Ruled accidental. |
[246] |
Heath Ledger |
1979–2008 |
Actor |
Combined drug intoxication of oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam, diazepam, temazepam and doxylamine. Accidental. |
[247] |
Bruce Lee |
1940–1973 |
Actor, martial artist |
Acute cerebral edema due to a reaction to compounds present in the prescription pain killing drug Equagesic. |
[248] |
Gerald Levert |
1966–2006 |
Singer |
Acute intoxication of Percocet, Vicodin, Darvocet, Xanax and two antihistamines. Accidental. |
[249] |
Frank X. Leyendecker |
1877–1924 |
Illustrator |
Highly suspected morphine overdose. Suicide. |
[250] |
Debbie Linden |
1961–1997 |
Model, actress |
Heroin overdose. |
[251] |
Max Linder |
1883–1925 |
Actor |
Linder and his wife both drank Veronal, injected morphine and cut open the veins in their arms. |
[252] |
Eugene Lipscomb |
1931–1963 |
American football player |
Heroin overdose. |
[253] |
Eugenia Livanos |
1927–1970 |
Wife of Stavros Niarchos |
Barbiturate overdose. |
[254] |
Mike Lockwood, aka Crash Holly |
1971–2003 |
Professional wrestler |
Carisprodol and alcohol intoxication. Suicide. |
[255] |
Philip Loeb |
1891–1955 |
Actor |
Sleeping pill overdose. Suicide. |
[256] |
Trinity Loren, aka Roxanne McPherson |
1964–1998 |
Pornographic actress |
Prescription painkillers overdose. In a possible suicide. |
[257] |
Zoe Tamerlis Lund |
1962–1999 |
Model, actress |
Cocaine-induced heart attack. |
[258][259] |
Donyale Luna |
1945–1979 |
Supermodel, actress |
Unspecified drug overdose. Accidental. |
[260] |
Frankie Lymon |
1942–1968 |
Singer |
Heroin overdose. |
[261] |
Phil Lynott |
1949–1986 |
Musician (Thin Lizzy) |
Conflicting sources report various causes of death, including: heart and liver failure,[262] heart failure and pneumonia after a drug overdose,[263] and blood poisoning from heroin addiction.[264] |
|
Name |
Life |
Profession |
Cause of death |
Reference |
Billy Mackenzie |
1957–1997 |
Musician (the Associates) |
Overdose of amitriptyline, paracetamol and other prescription drugs. Suicide. |
[265] |
Chris Mainwaring |
1965–2007 |
Australian football player |
Cocaine overdose. Accidental. |
[266][267] |
Bibek Maitra |
19??–2006 |
Politician |
Unspecified drug overdose. |
[268] |
Jesse Mahelona |
1983–2009 |
American football player |
Motor-vehicle collision. Malehona was under the influence of alcohol. |
[269] |
Vickie Lynn Marshall, aka Anna Nicole Smith |
1967–2007 |
Playboy playmate, actress |
Lethal combination of chloral hydrate and various benzodiazepines. |
[270] |
Adrienne Nicole Martin |
1983–2010 |
Model, Spouse of August Busch IV |
Cocaine and oxycodone overdose. |
[271] |
Andrew Martin, aka Test |
1975–2009 |
Professional wrestler |
Oxycodone overdose. Accidental. |
[272] |
Thalia Massie |
1911–1963 |
Wife |
Barbiturate overdose. |
[273] |
Lisa Matsumoto |
1964–2007 |
Children's author |
Motor-vehicle collision. Matsumoto's blood alcohol level was .242, more than 3 times the legal limit. |
[274] |
Billy Mays |
1958–2009 |
Salesperson |
Heart disease with cocaine use being a "contributory cause". |
[275][276] |
Joseph McCarthy |
1908–1957 |
Senator |
Hepatitis exacerbated by alcoholism. |
[277]
[278] [279]
|
Jimmy McCulloch |
1953–1979 |
Musician (Wings) |
Heroin overdose. |
[280] |
Marie McDonald |
1923–1965 |
Actress |
Unspecified drug overdose. |
[281] |
Robbie McIntosh |
1950–1974 |
Musician (Average White Band) |
Heroin overdose. |
[282] |
Stephen McKeag |
1970–2000 |
Ulster Defence Association member |
Cocaine overdose. |
[283] |
Marguerite McNamara |
1928–1978 |
Actress |
Sleeping pill overdose. Suicide. |
[284] |
Aimee Semple McPherson |
1890–1944 |
Evangelist |
Shock and respiratory failure due to overdose of prescription barbiturates. |
[285] |
Jonathan Melvoin |
1961–1996 |
Keyboardist |
Heroin overdose. |
[286] |
Mary Millington |
1945–1979 |
Model, pornographic actress |
Paracetamol overdose. Suicide. |
[287] |
Keith Moon |
1946–1978 |
Musician (the Who) |
Overdose on anti-seizure medication prescribed for alcoholism. Accidental. |
[288] |
Odas Moon |
1892–1937 |
Pilot |
Reportedly "drank himself to death". |
[289] |
Kenneth Moore a.k.a Big Moe |
1974–2004 |
Rapper |
Heart attack with Purple Drank as a contributing factor |
[290] |
Chester Morris |
1901–1970 |
Actor |
Barbiturate overdose. |
[291] |
Jim Morrison |
1943–1971 |
Musician (The Doors) |
Official cause of death is recorded as heart failure,[292] though Sam Bernett claims that Morrison died in Bernett's club, with heroin overdose as the suspected cause.[292] |
|
Norma Mortenson, aka Marilyn Monroe |
1926–1962 |
Actress |
Barbiturate overdose. Officially listed as "probable suicide" though several conspiracy theories exist. |
[293] |
Louis Mucciolo, Jr., aka Louie Spicolli |
1971–1998 |
Professional wrestler |
Conflicting sources indicate drug overdose[294] while some indicate coronary disease that might have been impacted by drug use.[295] |
|
Billy Murcia |
1951–1972 |
Musician (New York Dolls) |
Contradicting sources report the death as alcohol related,[296] or drowning[297] after a drug overdose[298] or as a drug overdose.[299] |
|
Brittany Murphy |
1977–2009 |
Actress |
"[C]ombination of pneumonia, an iron deficiency and 'multiple drug intoxication.'" |
[300] |
Brent Mydland |
1952–1990 |
Musician (the Grateful Dead) |
Cocaine and morphine overdose. |
[301] |
Name |
Life |
Profession |
Cause of death |
Reference |
George Sanders |
1906–1972 |
Actor |
Nembutal overdose. Suicide. |
[355] |
John Saunders |
1954–1999 |
Musician (Mad Season) |
Heroin overdose. |
[356] |
Catya Sassoon |
1968–2002 |
Model, actress |
Hydromorphone and cocaine overdose. |
[357] |
Sonja Savić |
1961–2008 |
Actress |
Unspecified drug overdose. |
[358] |
Sybille Schmitz |
1909–1955 |
Actress |
Sleeping pill overdose. Suicide. |
[359] |
Bon Scott |
1946–1980 |
Musician (AC/DC) |
Official cause of death listed as "acute alcohol poisoning". |
[360] |
Ronnie Scott |
1927–1996 |
Jazz tenor saxophonist |
Prescription barbiturate overdose. Accidental. |
[361] |
Pat Screen |
1943–1994 |
American football player |
Unspecified drug overdose. |
[362] |
Rod Scurry |
1956–1992 |
Major League Baseball pitcher |
Cocaine-induced heart attack. |
[363] |
Jean Seberg |
1938–1979 |
Actress |
Barbiturate and alcohol overdose. Suicide. |
[364] |
Chantal Sébire |
1955–2008 |
Teacher |
Pentobarbital overdose. Euthanasia. |
[365] |
Edie Sedgwick |
1943–1971 |
Actress |
Barbiturate and alcohol overdose. Undetermined. |
[366] |
Bobby Sheehan |
1968–1999 |
Musician (Blues Traveler) |
Unspecified drug overdose. |
[367] |
Eric Show |
1956–1994 |
Baseball player |
Cocaine and heroin overdose. |
[368] |
Elizabeth Siddal |
1829–1862 |
Model, poet, artist |
Laudanum overdose. |
[369] |
Judee Sill |
1944–1979 |
Musician |
Cocaine and heroin overdose. |
[370] |
Don Simpson |
1943–1996 |
Film producer |
Cocaine-induced heart attack. Twenty other drugs were found in his blood. |
[371] |
Tom Simpson |
1937–1967 |
Cyclist |
Dehydration and exhaustion while cycling exacerbated by amphetamines and alcohol use. |
[372] |
Hillel Slovak |
1962–1988 |
Musician (Red Hot Chili Peppers) |
Heroin overdose. |
[373] |
Alvim Smith |
1798–1823 |
Carpenter's assistant |
Mercury(I) chloride overdose. Officially administered to cure bilious colic; speculated murder. |
[374] |
Daniel Smith |
1986–2006 |
Actor, director |
Cardiac dysrhythmia caused by combination of methadone, Lexapro and Zolof. |
[375] |
Corey Smoot aka. Flattus Maximus |
1977–2011 |
Guitarrist |
Coronary artery thrombosis related to cocaine and opiate use. |
[376] |
Dash Snow |
1981–2009 |
Artist |
Heroin overdose. |
[377] |
Robert Soblen |
1900–1962 |
Psychiatrist |
Barbiturate overdose. |
[378] |
Erin Spanevello |
1987–2008 |
Fashion model |
Overdose of MDMA and GHB. |
[379][380] |
Layne Staley |
1967–2002 |
Musician (Alice in Chains) |
Cocaine, heroin and codeine overdoses. |
[381] |
Miroslava Stern |
1926–1955 |
Actress |
Overdose of sleeping pills. Suicide. |
[382] |
Inger Stevens |
1934–1970 |
Actress |
Barbiturate overdose. Suicide. |
[383] |
Bradley Stewart, aka Gidget Gein |
1969–2008 |
Musician (Marilyn Manson) |
Heroin overdose. |
[384] |
Rory Storm |
1939–1972 |
Musician |
Alcohol and sleeping pill overdose. |
[385] |
Margaret Sullavan |
1909–1960 |
Actress |
Barbiturate overdose. Suicide. |
[386] |
James Owen Sullivan, aka The Rev |
1981–2009 |
Musician (Avenged Sevenfold) |
"[A]cute polydrug intoxication due to combined effects of oxycodone, oxymorphone, diazepam, nordiazepam and ethanol." |
[387] |
Royce Surdam |
1835–1891 |
Real-estate agent |
Laudanum overdose. Accidental. |
[388] |
Jennifer Syme |
1972–2001 |
Actress |
Crashed her car while under the influence of cocaine, clonazepam and cyclobenzaprine. |
[389][390] |