Toxicology reports have found that Kevin DuBrow, the late singer of 1980s metal band Quiet Riot, passed away in late November due to a cocaine overdose.
Clark County coroner spokeswoman Samantha Charles confirmed the cause after toxicology results were received, the Associated Press reports.
DuBrow was found dead in his Las Vegas home by a neighbor on Nov. 25. Authorities were contacted and an investigation was initiated. A spokesperson for the Las Vegas police department said at the time that there was no suspicion of foul play; there were no signs of forced entry at DuBrow’s home.
Official autopsy and toxicology results are now available and the coroner in Las Vegas said Monday that the singer died of an accidental cocaine overdose. He was only 52.
“The cause is cocaine intoxication,” Clark County coroner spokeswoman Samantha Charles said.
This comes as a surprise since people close to Du-Brow said last month that the singer had appeared to be in good health in recent weeks. Blabbermouth.com also reported that DuBrow had stated in an interview earlier this year that he took “pretty good care” of himself and that he did not smoke.
DuBrow’s musical career spanned more than a quarter of a decade. He is credited with the successful revival of Quiet Riot. The band was originally formed in 1975 by Randy Rhoads; four years later, when he joined Ozzy Osbourne’s band, the group split.
In 1980, DuBrow formed a band he called DuBrow and after Rhoads’ death in 1983, reverted to the original name of Quiet Riot. The band enjoyed success in the following years, most notably for their cover version of Slade’s “Cum on Feel the Noize,” from their 1983 album “Metal Health.”
Quiet Riot is credited with contributing to the launch of the 1980s glam-metal genre; “Metal Heart” has the historical merit of being the first album by a metal band to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In 1987, mounting opposition between band members led to the firing of DuBrow however, they eventually reunited and released several albums during the 1990s, including “Terrified,” “Down to the Bone,” “Alive” and “Well and Guilty Pleasures.”
The band remained active throughout the years, with their most recent album, “Rehab,” being released in 2006, via record label Chavis Records. In 2004, DuBrow released a collection of covers as his first solo LP, “In for the Kill.”
Chavis Records owner Bill Chavis said at the time of the singer’s death: “As I mourn his death with a heavy heart, I will remember hearing his voice and the music for the very first time on the radio back in 1983.
I will remember all the great music Kevin and Quiet Riot gave to so many of us over the years and I will say, 'Thank you, Kevin. May you rest in peace.'”