The autopsy report reveals that the singer's death was caused by the combined effects of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine, while the manner of death was ruled an accident.
- September 25, 2024
AceShowbiz - The sudden death of Crazy Town frontman Shifty Shellshock three months ago has been linked to fentanyl, the powerful synthetic opioid also cited in the untimely deaths of fellow musicians Prince, Tom Petty, Mac Miller, and Lil Peep.
In a statement released Tuesday, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner revealed that the official cause of death for the singer-songwriter born Seth Brooks Binzer was the combined effects of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine. The manner of death was an "accident," the department said.
Binzer, 49, was found unresponsive at a residence on June 24. His rep Howie Hubberman told Rolling Stone he believed the cause would prove to be an accidental overdose.
"Seth has been struggling with substance abuse problems for quite some time," Hubberman said in June. "Seth was not happy with the daily struggle that's called life. Some people cope in many different ways. It's unfortunate we lose so many people to addiction and accessibility to harmful drugs. Shifty was a real-life tragedy. Too fast, too hard, too soon."
Binzer had been open about his battle with addiction. He appeared in two seasons of VH1's "Celebrity Rehab" and two seasons of its follow-up show "Sober House", between 2008 and 2010.
In one of his last Instagram posts in April, Binzer wrote that he was more of "a lover than a fighter ...but the one I need to love more Instead of fight with is myself." He ended the post with "# Sober alive and grateful."
Crazy Town briefly disbanded in 2003 following their second album "Darkhorse" and Binzer released his debut solo album "Happy Love Sick" in 2004. The record featured "Starry Eyed Surprise", his collaboration with British producer and musician Paul Oakenfold. Crazy Town reunited and released their third album "The Brimstone Sluggers" in 2015.
The frontman had also been vocal about his personal struggles in the past, appearing on various reality series in the '00s in a bid to raise awareness for and help combat his struggle with addiction.
County officials said Tuesday that Binzer's full autopsy report with more details of his tragic death is expected to be released by Octoeber 11.
