Autopsy Reveals Jay Bennett Overdosed on Painkillers

The tragedy is that Jay didn't have health insurance and that he died so young. Whether he became addicted to the patches (stronger than morphine...) or simply made the mistake of overdosing, it is very sad. To anyone who hasn't lost someone close to suicide or drug overdose, a story such as this usually is nothing more than gossip. (Anyone noticed our progressive,jaded humanity?) Of course I'm not directing this towards Jay's fans, friends and family.

The man was taking a drug prescribed to him for excessive pain. He was trying to do everything he could to get the money for surgery to reduce or eliminate the pain. But wait, there are morons out here on the blog sites who read that as meaning he is a drug addict! Many pain medicines are addicting but this does not make the patient an addict by street definition. ANyone who has been in a car accident or any situation where they needed any type of long term health care can understand this man's circumstances. Sadly, there are those who stick their nose in the air and think they know more......may they be taught a lesson.

Hey Theragsmanswife before commenting on other people's grammar skills you might want to check your own. You write, "... people that can't spell..." The correct word is WHO rather than THAT. "...people WHO can't spell..." What I want to know is why American's are in so much PAIN. I think we suffer from mental pain because the Country is so screwed up. We are morally as well as financially bankrupt and it's only going to get worse.

Most people think just because you are a "known" commodity (Wilco) that you are rich or at least have enough money to live on. Trust me, most times that is not the case if you are a musician. As a former musician, and one who knows a lot of people that are well-known to the music community, fame doesn't always mean money in music. It is sad that we Americans play Russian Roulette with our health and end up losing.

Wow, I think that I'm more shocked at the fact that this has turned into more of a spelling bee other than people paying their respects! I am a recovering opiate (hydocodone and oxycodon) addict. Before having an accident ten years ago, I never took as much as an asprin. Fast forward ten years...and before entering rehab, I was swallowing thirty, 10mg pills per day just to keep from being 'dope sick'. The withdrawls of these meds keep a person from having the strength to overcome this addiction. An addiction to pain pills sneaks up on you and it's sad because most people don't start taking them to get 'high', they are prescribed them by a doctor for pain. Well, there's no pain worse than getting off of them. The memory of my detox will keep me on track...that memory keeps me from ever wanting to swallow a narcotic pain pill for the rest of my life.
I hope that J.B's death was not in vein; that it brings awareness to this addiction and helps save another addicts life.

Kellys, maybe one day you too have a ongoing pain that will get the best of you, maybe then you can judge. I was the same way. Today am on percocet and oxycontin because of my chronic, ongoing 24/7 back condition..Again don't walk unless in somebody else's shoes! With no health Insurance.

You obviously don't understand how potent Fentanyl is..it is easy to overdose on this drug in the form Jay was using. If physicians don't educate you on proper use, you can get overdosed just getting into a hot tub or hot shower, or by applying the patches too close together. I was on Fentanyl for chronic pain for several years, not addicted to it, and had to be very cautious about going out in the heat of summer, or even if I was sick and running a fever would have to remove the patch for a few hours. If you get hot the medicine is released into your bloodstream faster and you get more than usual, resulting in decreased respirations, vomiting and irregular heart rythm. It is very dangerous if you aren't aware of the side effects and risks.

Until chronic pain it happens to you or someone you love you do not know what you are talking about. Most pain killers only take the edge off unless they knock you out especially if its nerve pain. Most people who have bad chronic pain can't sleep and also lose thier desire to eat which further weakens them. Also your body sometimes will develope a tolerance to even a whole set of pain-killers and in desperation especially in the middle of the night after days of no sleep you can easily over-dose. This was a fine musican and his death is a loss ro his family, friends and fans.

It's amazing how the tragic end of a man who has been going through agonizing pain for God knows how long is villainized. God bless this world.

That last one was to JayLove