June 9, 2010 23:25

Avenged Sevenfold drummer's death caused by 'accidental drug overdose'

Jimmy Owen Sullivan passed away in December 2009

The death of Avenged Sevenfold member Jimmy Owen Sullivan was caused by an accidental drug overdose.

The drummer, nicknamed The Rev, passed away on December 28 2009 at his home in southern California at the age of 28.

At first, Sullivan's death was ruled as inconclusive, but now, according to Rolling Stone, toxicology reports suggest he suffered "acute polydrug intoxication due to the combined effects of Oxycodone, Oxymorphone, Diazepam/Nordiazepam and ethanol."

Meanwhile, Orange County Deputy Coroner Mitchell Sigal revealed that Sullivan also had an enlarged heart, which was marked in the coroner's report as a "significant condition", and may have played a role in the drummer's death.

"To all of us who loved Jimmy, the only thing relevant about December 28 is that is the night we lost, too soon, a son, brother, friend and one of the most talented artists in the world," the band's manager Larry Jacobson said about the ruling. "Every day, his parents and sisters, and his brothers in Avenged Sevenfold smile at the many memories they have of Jimmy and his fans around the world revel in the musical legacy he left them."

Avenged Sevenfold decided to carry on as a band following Sullivan's death, recruiting Dream Theater's Mike Portnoy to tour with the group this summer.