Drug overdose killed heavy metal drummer Jimmy 'The Rev' Sullivan, coroner finds
The Orange County Sheriff's Department's coroner's unit has listed an accidental drug overdose as the likely cause of death for heavy metal drummer Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan.
The report declares that Sullivan died from the combined effects of four drugs: oxycodone, oxymorphone, diazepam/nordiazepam and ethanol. The report was released earlier this month.
Sullivan, of the band Avenged Sevenfold, was found dead at his Huntington Beach home Dec. 28, and the cause was initially unclear.
The report, obtained by the Huntington Beach Independent, also states that the Dec. 29 autopsy found that Sullivan's heart and liver were enlarged.
Sullivan, who also wrote and sang for Avenged Sevenfold, grew up in Huntington Beach.
-- Michael Miller, Huntington Beach Independent
Photo: Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan. Credit: Associated Press
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Tonight I'm going downtown to throw rocks and bottles.
Posted by: Schigolch | June 17, 2010 at 08:42 AM
uhh, thanks but i read this story like 2 weeks ago
Posted by: blank | June 17, 2010 at 10:19 AM
Sad to see how badly pills are affecting our society. So many think that because they are pills and not a street drug that they are OK....
Posted by: JC | June 17, 2010 at 10:42 AM
What does the enlarged heart and liver mean? Signs of drug use?
Posted by: Marcom | June 17, 2010 at 10:45 AM
Simple, don't mess with DRUGS!!!!!! if they are not prescribed
Posted by: Joey | June 17, 2010 at 11:06 AM
well, at least he wasn't driving...
Posted by: TheBigPicture | June 17, 2010 at 11:14 AM
If this happened in december, why is this new NOW?
Posted by: debra ramirez | June 17, 2010 at 11:52 AM
How do you 'accidentally' overdose with that many intentional drugs on your system? A swollen heart and liver are caused by ethanol (alcohol) as it makes the red blood cells swell. The liver has to work overtime if you take a lot more than prescribed oxy's, more than 4000mg of acetaminophen in a 24 hour period starts the liver breakdown. So sad.
Posted by: Sirvipe | June 17, 2010 at 12:07 PM
More proof that the biggest up and coming drug dealers these days are not the narco lords of Mexico (who with the help of corrupt police and politicians are now destroying their own people while still feeding the U.S.'s cocaine habit), but the pharmaceutical companies. How many ODs have we seen now in the last 2-3 years from pharmaceutical drugs? How many times is your HMO doctor or psychiatrist going to prescribe dope to you when you really don't need it, but he or she gets a kick back from big pharma for prescribing dope to you anyways?
Posted by: Sonnt | June 17, 2010 at 12:32 PM
Who?
Posted by: kgoddess | June 17, 2010 at 12:46 PM
Prescription drug use and abuse is now the leading cause of teen and adult drug addiction, and accidental overdose and death.
People tend to think because it's prescribed it's not a drug say like heroin, which is a street drug. When some prescription drugs are mixed with ethanol, which is alcohol, booze, a drug too, it reacts in the body to cause a deadly combination.
Enlarged liver and heart is caused from these toxins after a long time of using them.
Posted by: Mary | June 17, 2010 at 01:52 PM
The Rev was an awesome amazing drummer. Such a waste.
Posted by: kraken | June 17, 2010 at 02:39 PM
"Don't Mess With Drugs if they're not Prescribed."
What?
Thousands of people die every years, tens of thousands, from the "normal" side effects of prescribed drugs. Not to mention how I could go into nearly any doctor's office and be over prescribed a number of drugs. What a ridiculous statement. Why don't you tell that to Heath Ledger. I don't know where Sullivan got his drugs, but I wouldn't rule out a couple of doctors.
Posted by: Freud5137 | June 17, 2010 at 03:07 PM
NNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!! HE WAS ONE OF THE BEST DRUMMERS IV EVER LISTENED TO!!!! HE SANG AND DRUMMED AT THE SAME TIME!!! AND IT SOUNDED AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: max | June 17, 2010 at 05:13 PM
Obviously he was prescried those cuz he was drumming. And the alchohal, you can forget u took the pills... he got the enlarged heart from drumming insanely
Posted by: Viruses | June 18, 2010 at 10:55 AM
You people make me sick. The people who have commented saying what a loser and how he was stupid. None of you knew Jimmy. I am a fan of his band and you all make me want to kick puppies. How could you say that if you didn't know him? Yeah, the band liked to drink, but maybe he was on the pain meds and the anti-anxiety pills for a reason. I don't know the reasons, but I refuse to pass judgment on a man who was a huge part of saving my life many times. He was genius and will live on foREVer.
Posted by: Taylor | June 21, 2010 at 07:46 PM
I can't believe that some people would come on here saying that Jimmy is a loser. You obviously know nothing about him. The meds that he overdosed on were prescription meds. He probably had them from when he had eye surgery. Plus he probably had to take pain meds because he played the drums and it takes a toll on the body. Look at Phil Collins-he is unable to drum now because years of drumming took its toll on his body. Jimmy should not have took his meds if he had been drinking. Some doctors will not warn against drinking when taking medications. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and Avenged. And for the haters-you must get off on saying hateful things. If you don't like someone then don't comment. You have no right to just bash someone. What if it were your family member that died? Would you want someone to bash them? No you wouldn't, so unless you have something constructive to say don't say anything because all it does is pisses people off and there is enough anger in the world as it is. Mean people suck!! We will never forget you Jimmy! A7X foREVer!!
Posted by: Mrs. Twiztid | July 12, 2010 at 07:01 AM
I think it was murder
Posted by: D.Zee | August 23, 2010 at 09:59 PM