Jay Reatard's Death Caused by Cocaine and Alcohol, Autopsy Reveals

Posted on Feb 3rd 2010 2:15PM by Mike Ayers
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As word spread last month about Memphis garage rocker Jay Reatard's untimely passing, one question still remained: why did he die at just 29 years old? Fans got their answer Wednesday, as Memphis' Commercial Appeal reports that the autopsy results were released this morning.

Sadly, Shelby County Medical Examiner Dr. Karen E. Chancellor found that Reatard died from "cocaine toxicity, and that alcohol was a contributing factor in his death." The prolific musician, whose real name was Jimmy Lee Lindsey Jr., died in the bed of his Memphis home last month.

News of Reatard's death rocked the independent music community, with outpouring seen on not only the Goner Records home page -- home to many Reatard releases -- but artists such as Beck, the Pixies and Ted Leo expressing public condolences. Reatard's last album, 'Watch Me Fall' was released in August 2009.