Amy Winehouse Cause of Death Released: Alcohol Poisoning

Three months after her passing, family and fans of singer Amy Winehouse finally have some answers. An initial autopsy was inconclusive as to cause of death, however toxicology results did reveal that there were no illegal drugs in Winehouse’s system. According to E! Online, coroner Suzanne Greenway publicized the official cause of death Wednesday morning: “death by misadventure,” an “unintended consequence” of alcohol poisoning. Though the prescribed sedative Librium was found in Winehouse’s system, the coroner stated it did not play a part in her death.

Greenway and pathologist Suhail Baithun announced Wednesday morning that the singer’s blood-alcohol limit was over five times the drunk-driving limit — 416 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood. In Britain, the legal limit is 80 mg.

According to Winehouse’s personal doctor Christina Romete, the singer was not suicidal, but had resumed drinking the day before her death after three weeks of abstinence. When Winehouse was found by a policeman on July 23rd, he stated two empty full-size bottles and a smaller bottle of vodka were found in her room.

Winehouse’s death at the age of 27, though tragic, was not entirely unforeseen by fans due to her very public battle with drugs and alcohol. In a performance in Serbia a month before her death, Winehouse was late, stumbled across the stage and forgot song lyrics, leading to tour cancellations in Istanbul and Athens. Prior to the disastrous performance and in the weeks leading up to her death, the singer had seemed ready to pull her life together without the addictions that dragged her down.

Winehouse had checked into the Priory Clinic for treatment for alcohol addiction, and though she checked out less than a week later, her publicist claimed she was continuing treatment on an outpatient basis. Winehouse’s parents insisted in the weeks following her death that she hadn’t taken drugs in three years, but that she was still battling her alcohol dependence.

In the days following Winehouse’s death, fans and stars alike mourned the songbird, taking to social networking sites to share their sorrow.

“i cant even breath right my now im crying so hard i just lost 1 of my best friends. i love you forever Amy & will never forget the real you!” — Kelly Osbourne

“she was my musical soul mate & like a sister to me. this is one of the saddest days of my life.” — Mark Ronson”Its just beyond sad, there’s nothing else to say. She was such a lost soul, may she rest in peace.” — Lily Allen

“I just found out. I feel pain. I feel anger. Rest beautiful girl rest. You are free!” — Ricky Martin

“Please tell me Amy Winehouse didn’t die. Is this some sick joke?” — Nicki Minaj

“Amy Winehouse inspired me and millions of others. I can’t believe she’s gone.” — Adam Levine

“Sad to hear about Amy Winehouse. I mourn any time one of our own passes on. A tragedy…no doubt. Truly sad.” — Billy Corgan

Gina Serpe, Amy Winehouse’s Cause of Death: Accidental Alcohol Poisoning, Blood Level Five Times the Legal Limit, E!Online

Stars React to Amy Winehouse’s Passing, MSN.com


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