Coolio cause of death confirmed as family plan to honour his legacy

06 April 2023 , 19:32

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Coolio's cause of death has been confirmed (Image: Getty Images)

Coolio's cause of death has been revealed after a family spokesman revealed the drug fentanyl contributed to the rapper's death.

It's said that the Gangsta's Paradise singer, who died aged 59 in September last year, also had traces of heroin and methamphetamines in his system at the time of his death.

Family representative Jarel (Jarez) Posey told TMZ on Thursday that investigators determined the star's severe asthma along with decades of smoking cigarettes also played a factor in his death as it meant his body had an inability to fight back.

Despite the news, Posey insisted to the publication that the star's children will remember their father for the man he was and said the public should know how much they loved him.

Rap star Coolio died aged 59 (Getty Images)

It's reported that the family now plans to honour the musician through a number of TV documentaries and a film as well as continuing his legacy in the industry.

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At the time of his death, sources told TMZ no drugs or drug paraphernalia were found at the scene.

Posey told them at the time how Coolio was unresponsive to calls for him to return from the bathroom as he visited a friend in Los Angeles.

His lack of response is said to have led to the pal going to check on the star, where he found him laying on the floor.

Coolio - whose real name is Artis Leon Ivey Jr - is said to have been pronounced dead at the scene after his friend had called emergency services.

Coolio's family plans to honour the star's legacy (GETTY)

The rapper burst onto the music stage in LA in the late 1980s, but it was his '90s hit Gangsta's Paradise which made him an international star. The iconic tune, which was recorded to be the soundtrack for Michelle Pfeiffer's hit film Dangerous Minds, went on to become his signature song.

Following his death, stars of the celebrity world gathered to pay their respects.

Taking to social media, Michelle Pfeiffer described being "heartbroken".

The actress, who played the lead role in Dangerous Minds, said: "Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist @coolio. A life cut entirely too short. As some of you may know I was lucky enough to work with him on Dangerous Minds in 1995.

"He won a Grammy for his brilliant song on the soundtrack - which I think was the reason our film saw so much success."

Jamie Roberts