Tom Petty’s family claims that the legendary rock star’s accidental drug overdose last year caused his death. Petty was discovered unconscious at his home on October 2, 2018, and he passed away at a hospital that same evening.
His ringing guitar riffs, distinctive voice, and well-crafted everyman lyrics adorned hits like Free Fallin’ and American Girl. His wife and daughter, Dana and Adria Petty, posted a statement on his Facebook page announcing the autopsy results, stating that the overdose was caused by multiple drugs, according to coroner reports.
“We knew before the report was shared with us that he was prescribed various pain medications for a multitude of issues including fentanyl patches and we feel confident that this was, as the coroner found, an unfortunate accident,” stated the statement.
Just before the official findings from the Los Angeles coroner’s office were released, the post was made. The findings said that Petty’s death was caused by a “mixed toxicity” of fentanyl, oxycodone, generic Xanax, generic Celexa, acetyl fentanyl, and despropionyl fentanyl.
The method of death is listed as “accidental” in the medical examiner’s report. Petty was devoted to his 40th-anniversary tour in the United States despite suffering from emphysema, a shattered hip, and knee issues, according to his family.
According to the statement, “it worsened to a more serious injury as he did.”
“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 overuse of medication.”
According to Petty’s family, they were hoping that the news of his passing would help bring attention to the US drug issue.
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“Many people who overdose begin with a legitimate injury or simply do not understand the potency and deadly nature of these medications,” the letter continued.
“On a brighter side, we can now say with certainty that he passed away painlessly and magnificently weary from doing what he loved most, which was performing live for his devoted fans on the largest tour of his over 40-year career with his unrivaled rock band.”
“He was extremely proud of that achievement in the days before he passed.”
1950 saw the birth of Petty in Florida. In addition to performing solo, he had successful runs as a member of the Traveling Wilburys supergroup and with his band, the Heartbreakers.
