Tom Petty died of an accidental overdose, says family
American rocker Tom Petty died in October of an accidental drug overdose after taking a variety of medications — including a mix of opioid painkillers —for his ailments, his family and the Los Angeles county medical examiner have said.
The autopsy report says that Petty had strong opiods and hypnotics in his system when he died of cardiac arrest.
Petty’s wife Dana and daughter Adria said the medical examiner told them he “passed away due to an accidental drug overdose as a result of taking a variety of medications.”
“Unfortunately, Tom’s body suffered from many serious ailments such as emphysema, knee problems, and most significantly a fractured hip,” they said in a statement on his band’s Facebook page. His family explain he was on tour, even with the fractured hip, when his condition worsened.
“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,” they add.
The analysis bears striking similarities to the death of pop icon Prince in 2016, attributed to an accidental dose of painkillers.
“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,” the statement says.
“Many people who overdose begin with a legitimate injury or simply do not understand the potency and deadly nature of these medications.”
Petty is known for hits such as American Girl, I Won’t Back Down, and Free Fallin’. He sold 80 million records during his career. The singer and guitarist — a three-time Grammy winner recognizable for his shoulder-length blonde hair — struggled with depression most of his life and was at one time addicted to heroin.
In his later years, he took to using marijuana and transcendental meditation.