Coroner says overdose killed Phoenix
Toxicological tests conducted on the 23-year-old actor, who convulsed and died on Sunset Boulevard on Oct. 31, showed lethal levels of morphine, heroin and cocaine in the bloodstream.
Traces of marijuana, prescription sedative Valium, and an over-the-counter cold medication were also found.
The combination of heroin and cocaine, often referred to as a "speedball," is a concoction injected into the bloodstream to get an immediate reaction. But there were no needle marks found on the body, officials said.
"The cause of death is acute multiple drug intoxication," coroner spokesman Scott Carrier said. "Maybe it was ingested, maybe it was inhaled. How it was introduced into his body is unknown at this time."
The coroner's office has ruled the death accidental. Homicide investigators also said Friday they have closed their investigation.
Phoenix's death outside the Viper Room, a trendy music club co-owned by actor Johnny Depp and musician Chuck E. Weiss, stunned fans and Hollywood insiders and prompted widespread speculation about whether the actor had been abusing drugs at the time of his death.
