No cause of death for Avenged Sevenfold drummer Jimmy Sullivan; toxicology tests ordered

The Orange County coroner's office said Tuesday night that an autopsy of Avenged Sevenfold drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan was inconclusive and that more tests would be performed to determine a cause of death.

Sullivan, 28, was found dead Monday at his home in Huntington Beach. Police in that city said there were no signs of foul play. The coroner ordered toxicology and other lab tests, which is fairly common in cases where a cause of death is not apparent.

Sullivan was born Feb. 9, 1981, and befriended the future members of the group, whose name often is short-handed as A7X, while they were in high school together.

"It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we tell you of the passing today of Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan," the other four band members said in a statement posted Tuesday on the group's website. "Jimmy was not only one of the world's best drummers, but more importantly he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy's family and we hope that you will respect their privacy during this difficult time."

Early this decade, the group built a strong local following playing in clubs and releasing recordings on small, independent record labels. A7X established a national audience with the 2005 release of its major-label debut for Warner Bros. Records, "City of Evil," which has sold just shy of 1 million copies in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

-- Shelby Grad

RELATED STORY

James 'The Rev' Sullivan dies at 28; drummer for heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold

Comments

[Mike in Gulfport]

R.I.P. Rev, We'll all miss you! And to the rest of the band, our deepest sympathies from the Mississippi Gulf Coast...................Every once in a while a great song comes to life on the radio down here and has just the right beat, and just the right lyrics and really hits home. That song for me... SEIZE THE DAY.................Thank you Avenged Sevenfold, and thank you Jimmy. GODSPEED!

[Sara]

Ive listened to his drumming that made there music sooo amzing,i cant belive this happened every time i check on updates of what happened to this talented man it makes my heart drop.Jimmy was such an incredible man and A7x wont be the same....i will deeply miss you what a way to start the new year.
hope to see u up there man.prayers go out to the fam the band nd his wife

[Aaron]

this sucks. uh its like the world is killing our good music

[Heartagram666]

The day the world ended was on 28 december,2009.Jimmy was one of the best drummers ever in my opinoin.He was an amazing person he was funny and told and did many amazing things.He ran after a 'Stallion Duck' one of the funniest moments ever.Avenged will never be the same without Jimmy.Jimmy could lay down some crazy beats.I mean he wrote A Little Piece Of Heaven.One of the greatest songs ever.

Jimmy, vous vivrez dans nos mémoires et nos cœurs. Nous allons tout ce que vous manquez beaucoup, mon chéri.(Jimmy you will live on in our memories and hearts. We'll all miss you very much, Darling.)

Xoxo

[D-Bizzle]

This was pretty upsetting, this was the first "rockstar" figure who's really had a musical influence on me that i've grown up with from Sounding The Seventh Trumpet that's passed...

It really sucks, and Avenged Sevenfold just won't be the same without him.

RIP Rev

[Ashley]

If anything in the world has broken my heart, it was to hear about the loss of The Rev. I honestly can't believe that some people on here can say that it was NO BIG LOSS. You may not have liked the band, but don't say that losing someone that was that amazing of a drummer was no big loss. His family and friends are in incredible pain. He was an incredibly innocent person, and the world is a worse place because of his loss. I Love You, Jimmy.. I can't imagine how Avenged is going to go on without you. I can only hope that they can.

[Bianca]

this is very heart braken to hear and its really disrispectfull to say "no big loss" u might not like the band but theres no need to say that. he was an incredible drumer and un-replaceable. avenged sevenfold will never be the same but we must all move on. Jimmy stays ali9ve in our heart and will live forever. Rest.In.Peace Jimmy. we love u and hope u are in a better place now. we will always remember u. i love u my hero. R.I.P "The Rev" ill never forget you. :`(

[Becci]

good night jimmy, sleep well. You're in our hearts forever, us rockers in england have listened to you well. a decent beat and the background sweet you're a man great for anyone to meet.
sleep well.... x

[Nate]

Yeah.. I was shocked when I heard about this.. It's really heart breaking.. I enjoy their music and now it'll never sound the same. I hope those guys are doing okay.

[Scott]

Anyone dieing that young and not knowing the cause is horrible.

But it being Jimmy really kills. Such an awesome and talented person. I look up to this guy.

My condolences to the family and friends.

[ashlee]

omg!!

this has to be a night mare!!!!

[Rob]

Good night sweet prince.

You will be missed like no other.

[Alicia]

I believe he was the best drummer ever,
As do his band mates and as do his fans.
R.I.P Jimmy,
You WILL be missed.

[Muan]

i dnt knw wat 2 say nw he is ma fans,i like da way he dress,he look so cool
I will b Missing u brother Jimmy
I will always remember u in ma heart

[Anonymous]

I'm deeply sadened by the fact that Jimmy died. I am a big fan of A7X and my dearest consolences to "The Rev's" family and to A7x. I hope that A7x will cont. their career but theres no one that will ever replace Jimmy Owen Sullivan. :c

[Caitlin Hunt]

man what a loss... the rev was one of the best drummers. he will be missed.

[anna]

he was the best drummer im 15 and you guys changed my life forever i will miss him alot

[kristen garcia]

I love A7X there the greatest band in the world and im very upset that the jimmy sullivan passed away we all know that he will be in a better place now..