Coroner: Gerald Levert Died From Combination Of Medications
POSTED: 4:33 pm EST February 9, 2007
UPDATED: 6:24 pm EST February 9, 2007
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/10975021/detail.html#
<http://www.newsnet5.com/news/10975021/detail.html>
CLEVELAND -- The Geauga County coroner said Friday that local R&B star
Gerald Levert's death was a result of a terrible accident.
The coroner confirmed to NewsChannel5 that Levert's death was caused by a
combination of over-the-counter and prescription drugs.
Levert's death has now officially been ruled an accident. In a seven-page
report released to NewsChannel5, the coroner said that a deadly mixture of
drugs was found in his system.
The coroner said the drugs included powerful painkillers such as Vicodin and
Percocet, and the antidepressants Valium and Xanax were also present in his
bloodstream.
Coroner Kevin Chartran said that Levert was also suffering from pneumonia at
the time of his death in November, which was why Levert was also taking
antihistamines.
Chartran said the combination of six different drugs proved to be fatal.
"It's not clear when these were taken. We're not sure if they were taken all
at once or over the course of a day. But the levels were high enough and
there was acute intoxication, which likely stopped him from breathing,"
Chartran said.
The autopsy was conducted by the Cuyahoga County coroner's office, but
because Levert died at his Geauga County home it was up to the Geauga County
coroner to issue the report.
Levert was 40 years old.
Levert's family released the following statement regarding the coroner's
report:
"Gerald had several health issues including recovering from a severed
Achilles tendon and lingering shoulder pain, among other things, that
required him to take prescribed pain medications. We had no idea that this
would be the cause of his death. Unfortunately, we can't turn back the hands
of time, for if we could, he may still be with us today. We accept what has
been reported and thank all of Gerald's family, friends and fans for their
continual outpouring of love for our loss."