Lil Peep’s Cause of Death Suspected to Be Drug Overdose, Says Medical Examiner
Following the death of Lil Peep, fans have been waiting for a cause of death to be revealed. Now, the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner reveals the rapper is believed to have died from a drug overdose.
While the medical examiner suspects drugs played a role in Peep's death, a press release states it takes six to eight weeks before the toxicology results are available to help determine a definitive cause of death, Pitchfork reports.
"The Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner contracts toxicology testing with an independent reference laboratory," said Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Gregory Hess in a statement. "Comprehensive toxicology testing may take several weeks to perform depending on the results of the testing and volume of the laboratory." Sgt. Pete Dugan of the Tucson Police Department said evidence pointed to a Xanax overdose.
On Wednesday night, the Long Island rapper passed away in Tucson, Ariz. He was 21 years old. The rapper's manager, Chase Ortega, was the first to break the news, tweeting, "I've been expecting this call for a year. Mother fuck."
In a separate statement, First Access Entertainment CEO Sarah Stennett said, "I am shocked and heartbroken. I do not believe Peep wanted to die, this is so tragic. He had big goals and dreams for the future which he had shared with me, his team, his family and his friends. He was highly intelligent, hugely creative, massively charismatic, gentle and charming. He had huge ambition and his career was flourishing."
Since his untimely death, Lil Peep has received an outpouring of support from the hip-hop community. "This overdose is not simply about drug use but, it's ALSO about depression!" tweeted Kreayshawn. "Self medicated to help himself get through another show and another day. Lil Peep STILL has great potential to HELP PEOPLE w/ his lesson. It's so sad he had to learn his so hard."
The rapper was scheduled to perform in Tucson for the last show on his tour. See how hip-hop is reacting to his passing below.
Lil Pump, Juicy J and More React to Lil Peep's Death