Drug overdose caused Turner death

Rock 'n' roll pioneer Ike Turner's death last month was caused by a cocaine overdose, according to an official report.

The medical examiner's office in San Diego said its findings were that Turner "abused cocaine" which resulted in "cocaine toxicity".

The report also listed hypertensive cardiovascular disease and pulmonary emphysema as "significant and contributing factors" to Turner's death.

Turner, whose musical accomplishments were overshadowed by his image as the man who brutally abused former wife Tina Turner, died on December 12 after years of drug abuse.

Turner once said he began using drugs to stay awake and handle the rigours of non-stop touring during his glory years.

But while he would readily admit to drug abuse, Turner always denied abusing his ex-wife. In her 1987 autobiography, I, Tina, she told of a brutal pattern of abuse.

After years out of the spotlight his career finally began to revive in 2001 when he released the album Here and Now. The recording won rave reviews and a Grammy nomination.

Via ukpress