Popular R&B Singer Levert Died from Accidental Drug Mix

The death of R&B singer Gerald Levert appears to have happened due to an accidental mix of prescription narcotics and over-the-counter-drugs. A report was released by the coroner who did an examination on the late singer's body. There was much speculation among members of the music industry and the media that the late singer's death may of been related to a possible drug overdose.

Vicodin, Percocet and Darvocet, were said to be the narcotic drugs that were found in Levert's system. Levert also had anxiety medication Xanax and two over-the-counter antihistamines found by eauga County Coroner Kevin Chartrand. The mixture of drugs is what led to Levert's heart from ceasing operation and causing his death. The official cause of death was acute intoxication, and the death was ruled accidental. A death like this is ruled accidental when the drugs were of prescription related use.

Gerald Levert was a 40 year-old singer and son of O'Jays singer Eddie Levert. He died on November 10th in his suburban home. Levert was a solo singer and a member of the R&B trio LeVert. The group released several hits over two decades. Some of the hits included (Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind" and "Casanova." His solo career helped produce such hits as "Private Line" and "Baby hold on to Me". "Baby Hold on to Me" was truly special to Levert because it was a duet that he did with his father.

The spokesman for the Levert family released a statement of their own. They wanted to let the public know that Levert was taking pain medication because of a lingering shoulder problem and surgery he had in 2005. The surgery was done to help repair a severed Achilles tendon and pain medication was used to help the pain go away. Levert also took Xanax to help him fight anxiety attacks. The final autopsy revealed that Levert also had pneumonia at the time of his death.

Sources used to produce this article:

Newsday. "Accidental Drug Mix Said to Kill Levert". Online. February 11, 2007.
Internet site address: http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/music/wire/sns-ap-people-levert,0,3095646.story