Tom Petty Died Of Accidental Drug Overdose, Family Reveals

David Moye
Updated

Tom Petty’s death in October was caused by an accidental drug overdose, according to a statement by his wife and daughter.

Petty was found unconscious in his home Oct. 1 while in “full cardiac arrest.” He was reportedly taken off life support the next day when he was found to have “no brain activity.”

In a Facebook message posted Friday on the Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers fan page, Petty’s widow, Dana, and daughter, Adria, explained the cause of death.

“Our family sat together this morning with the Medical Examiner – Coroner’s office and we were informed of their final analysis that Tom Petty passed away due to an accidental drug overdose as a result of taking a variety of medications.

“Unfortunately Tom’s body suffered from many serious ailments including emphysema, knee problems and most significantly a fractured hip.

“Despite this painful injury he insisted on keeping his commitment to his fans and he toured for 53 dates with a fractured hip and, as he did, it worsened to a more serious injury.

“On the day he died he was informed his hip had graduated to a full on break and it is our feeling that the pain was simply unbearable and was the cause for his over use of medication.”

Dana and Adria Petty said they knew before seeing the report that the singer-songwriter was prescribed various pain medications, including fentanyl patches, for a multitude of issues.

“We feel confident that this was, as the coroner found, an unfortunate accident,” they said.

The two also said they realized Petty’s death “may spark a further discussion on the opioid crisis” ― something they said they welcome.

“We feel that it is a healthy and necessary discussion and we hope in some way this report can save lives. Many people who overdose begin with a legitimate injury or simply do not understand the potency and deadly nature of these medications.”

The two ended the post, which appears below, with a note of appreciation for Petty.

“On a positive note we now know for certain he went painlessly and beautifully exhausted after doing what he loved the most, for one last time, performing live with his unmatchable rock band for his loyal fans on the biggest tour of his 40 plus year career. He was extremely proud of that achievement in the days before he passed.”

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1976

Posing in New York in 1976. 
Posing in New York in 1976. 

1976

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers pose for a portrait on July 15, 1976 in Los Angeles, CA. 
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers pose for a portrait on July 15, 1976 in Los Angeles, CA. 

1977

A portrait in New York, 1977. 
A portrait in New York, 1977. 

1977

In his hotel room in New York City, New York, Oct. 7, 1977.
In his hotel room in New York City, New York, Oct. 7, 1977.

1978

Performing live at The Winterland Ballroom in 1978 in San Francisco, CA. 
Performing live at The Winterland Ballroom in 1978 in San Francisco, CA. 

1978

Performing at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago Sept. 28, 1978.
Performing at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago Sept. 28, 1978.

1979

Performing with The Heartbreakers on "Saturday Night Live" on Nov. 10, 1979.
Performing with The Heartbreakers on "Saturday Night Live" on Nov. 10, 1979.

1980

Chatting with Los Angeles Times pop critic, Robert Hilburn, backstage at a 1980 Santa Cruz, CA. 
Chatting with Los Angeles Times pop critic, Robert Hilburn, backstage at a 1980 Santa Cruz, CA. 

1980

Prancing onstage during a Santa Cruz, CA, concert at the Civic Auditorium in 1980. 
Prancing onstage during a Santa Cruz, CA, concert at the Civic Auditorium in 1980. 

1981

Relaxing on his tour bus between 1981 concert performances in Chicago, IL. 
Relaxing on his tour bus between 1981 concert performances in Chicago, IL. 

1981

Posing backstage for pictures following a 1981 concert in Chicago, IL. Petty and his band, The Heartbreakers, were in the middle of a 28-city tour of the U.S.
Posing backstage for pictures following a 1981 concert in Chicago, IL. Petty and his band, The Heartbreakers, were in the middle of a 28-city tour of the U.S.

1982

Performing at Wembley Arena in London on Dec. 7, 1982. 
Performing at Wembley Arena in London on Dec. 7, 1982. 

1983

With The Heartbreakers on June 9, 1983.
With The Heartbreakers on June 9, 1983.

1984

Jerry Lee Lewis greets guests, including Tom Petty, in his trailer on Jan. 17, 1984 after his concert at the Palomino in Los Angeles, CA. 
Jerry Lee Lewis greets guests, including Tom Petty, in his trailer on Jan. 17, 1984 after his concert at the Palomino in Los Angeles, CA. 

1985

Performing at the Live Aid Concert on July 13, 1985 at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, PA. 
Performing at the Live Aid Concert on July 13, 1985 at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, PA. 

1986

Bob Dylan and Tom Petty pose for a portrait at Westwood One studios where they are promoting their "True Confessions" tour. 
Bob Dylan and Tom Petty pose for a portrait at Westwood One studios where they are promoting their "True Confessions" tour. 

1986

Bob Dylan and Tom Petty in concert on July 22, 1986 in Chicago, IL. 
Bob Dylan and Tom Petty in concert on July 22, 1986 in Chicago, IL. 

1987

Performing with The Heartbreakers in Brussels, Belgium on Oct. 8, 1987.
Performing with The Heartbreakers in Brussels, Belgium on Oct. 8, 1987.

1987

With Dolly Parton on "Dolly" in 1987. 
With Dolly Parton on "Dolly" in 1987. 

1989

With wife Jane Petty at the "Performance of Ringo and the All-Stars" on Sept. 4, 1989 in Los Angeles, CA. 
With wife Jane Petty at the "Performance of Ringo and the All-Stars" on Sept. 4, 1989 in Los Angeles, CA. 

1989

With The Heartbreakers on "Saturday Night Live" on May 20, 1989. 
With The Heartbreakers on "Saturday Night Live" on May 20, 1989. 

1990

Performing at the Oakland Coliseum on March 6, 1990. 
Performing at the Oakland Coliseum on March 6, 1990. 

1990

Performing on Feb. 1, 1990 on "Late Night With David Letterman." 
Performing on Feb. 1, 1990 on "Late Night With David Letterman." 

1991

Performing on The Great Wide Open Tour in Bloomington, MN on Sept. 4, 1991. 
Performing on The Great Wide Open Tour in Bloomington, MN on Sept. 4, 1991. 

1991

With wife Jane Petty at the ASCAP Music Awards on May 15, 1991 in Beverly Hills, CA. 
With wife Jane Petty at the ASCAP Music Awards on May 15, 1991 in Beverly Hills, CA. 

1992

Performing with The Heartbreakers in Brussels, Belgium in April 1992.
Performing with The Heartbreakers in Brussels, Belgium in April 1992.

1993

Attending the re-naming party for Def American-American Records on Aug. 27, 1993 in Los Angeles, CA. 
Attending the re-naming party for Def American-American Records on Aug. 27, 1993 in Los Angeles, CA. 

1994

Holding an MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video (for the song "Mary Jane's Last Dance") on Sept. 8, 1994.
Holding an MTV Video Music Award for Best Male Video (for the song "Mary Jane's Last Dance") on Sept. 8, 1994.

1994

At the MTV Video Music Awards in New York City, NY in 1994. 
At the MTV Video Music Awards in New York City, NY in 1994. 

1995

At the 12th Annual MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7, 1995 in New York City, NY.
At the 12th Annual MTV Video Music Awards on Sept. 7, 1995 in New York City, NY.

1995

With The Heartbreakers in Minneapolis, MN on Sept. 10, 1995.
With The Heartbreakers in Minneapolis, MN on Sept. 10, 1995.

1996

During an interview on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Aug. 5, 1996. 
During an interview on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on Aug. 5, 1996. 

1997

Attending the world premiere of "The Postman" on Dec. 12, 1997 in Burbank, CA. 
Attending the world premiere of "The Postman" on Dec. 12, 1997 in Burbank, CA. 

1998

Accepting an award at the Bammies on March 7, 1998 in San Francisco, CA. 
Accepting an award at the Bammies on March 7, 1998 in San Francisco, CA. 

1999

Receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 28, 1999 in Hollywood, CA. 
Receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 28, 1999 in Hollywood, CA. 

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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.