Former NBA guard Darius Morris died at the age of 33 from heart disease, with drug and alcohol use being a major factor, a coroner has ruled.
Morris – who played for the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers, among others – passed away last month, leaving the NBA world in mourning.
Now, six weeks later, more information has been released about his death, with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner determining the official cause of death to be coronary artery disease.
According to the report, obtained by TNZ, drugs and alcohol were a ‘significant factor’, particularly the effects of cocaine, ethanol and hydrocodone.
His death – on May 2 at his home in the Los Angeles area – is also officially ruled an accident.
Former NBA guard Darius Morris has died at the age of 33, his family announced
Morris played with Kobe Bryant for two years with the Lakers: pictured with Steve Nash in 2012
No drugs were found at the scene and his body was decomposing when he was discovered, it was revealed.
Morris was last known to be alive on April 22, ten days before his death, when he told his mother he was feeling ill and experiencing flu-like symptoms.
His death was revealed in a statement from his family, which said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our much-loved son, Darius Aaron Morris.
“During this period of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace.”
After thriving in high school in Los Angeles, Morris attended the University of Michigan
After thriving in high school in Los Angeles, Morris attended the University of Michigan and made an impact. He broke the school’s record for assists in a single season with 235.
Morris was drafted by the Lakers in the second round of the 2011 NBA Draft and he played alongside Kobe Bryant in LA for two seasons.
After playing for the 76ers, Clippers, Grizzlies and Nets, Morris played in China, Russia and France later in his career.
In the NBA, he averaged 3.3 points, 1 rebound and 1.4 assists in 132 appearances.
