Foo Fighters drummer dies of ‘drug overdose’
POLICE were last night investigating the suspected drug overdose death of the drummer of the US rock band Foo Fighters after his body was found in a Colombian hotel room.
Taylor Hawkins, 50, was due to perform at a concert with the band in Bogota on Friday night but collapsed around 7.40pm in his €2,300-a-night hotel suite at the Four Seasons Casa Medina.
He is said to have complained of chest pains shortly before his death. Health authorities in Bogota said last night emergency services tried to revive the drummer in his room but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
While police initially said they believed the death to be drug related, a source told The Mail on Sunday: ‘Bogota is at high altitude so that may have brought on a heart attack.
Drugs are also suspected because of his history. An autopsy and toxicology tests are ongoing and only then will we be able to establish a cause of death.’
A police spokesman said: ‘The cause of death is not clear but, from information given by family members, we have reason to believe drugs may have been involved.’
A source at the coroner’s office said an autopsy was due to be carried out yesterday, after which the body would be flown home to the US.
In a statement, the band said: ‘The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins. His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever.’
He is survived by his wife Alison and their three children.