Less than two months since his passing, the cause of Juice WRLD‘s death has been confirmed by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. The Chicago-born rapper died as a result of oxycodone and codeine toxicity, XXL reports, meaning his death has been ruled an accidental overdose.
Shortly after the news broke, his family and friends released a statement on Instagram. Their shared message thanked fans for their “undivided adoration and love,” and spoke of plans to honor Juice’s talents with a Chicago tribute. Details TBC. Read below.
Juice WRLD, real name Jarad Higgins, suffered a seizure upon landing at Chicago’s Midway International Airport following a private flight from Los Angeles on December 8. According to the rapper’s management team, he ingested several pills including Percocets in an attempt to hide them from police while they were searching the plane. The authorities were notified by the pilot while the flight was en route to Chicago that the aircraft was carrying guns and drugs. After landing at Midway, paramedics rushed Juice WRLD to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois, where he was pronounced dead at 3:14 a.m.
Two of Juice WRLD’s security guards, Henry Dean and Chris Long, were arrested for possession of guns while in the airport. They were then charged with misdemeanor gun violations. Reports suggest it is unlikely that anyone from the rapper’s team will face charges for the marijuana that was found on the plane.
Since his passing, Juice WRLD’s mother has spoken out on his drug addiction saying, “Addiction knows no boundaries and its impact goes way beyond the person fighting it. Jarad was a son, brother, grandson, friend and so much more to so many people who wanted more than anything to see him defeat addiction. We hope the conversations he started in his music and his legacy will help others win their battles as that is what he wanted more than anything.”
