The cause of Brandon Clarke’s death has been determined nearly three months after the Memphis Grizzlies forward died in May.
A report from the L.A. County Medical Examiner ruled Clarke’s death an accidental overdose, according to Melody Gutierrez of The Athletic. The report said cocaine and heroin were found in Clarke’s system, and also listed the “combined effects of multiple prescription medications” as a significant contributing condition.
“BREAKING: Brandon Clarke’s death ruled accidental overdose of cocaine, heroin,” Gutierrez wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “The medical examiner also listed as a significant contributing condition the ‘combined effects of multiple prescription medications.'”
Clarke’s death had already sent shockwaves through the NBA and beyond. In the immediate aftermath, the Grizzlies said they were “heartbroken” by the loss.
“Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten,” the team wrote at the time.
The report also comes after Clarke had been charged in Arkansas six weeks before his death with “felony counts of trafficking of a controlled substance and fleeing law enforcement at speeds topping 100 mph.”
“Deputies alleged that he had 235 grams of kratom, a controversial plant-based substance that is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, in a duffel bag in his car at the time of his arrest April 1,” Gutierrez wrote.
The substance was alleged to be 235 grams of kratom, which is labeled as a felony narcotic in Arkansas but is legal in Tennessee, where Clarke had a home. A full autopsy report will be released later.
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