Details are still emerging as to the cause of death, but The Salt Lake Tribune reports police were called to a house at 1.45pm on Tuesday March 8, where Starr was found.
A representative from the Salt Lake City Police department said:
“The cause and manner of death are going to be determined by the medical examiner’s office.”
Police do not suspect foul play, but added that the one time ‘Celebrity Rehab With Dr. Drew’ participant was arrested last month in Salt Lake City on suspicion of possession of medications (namely Oxymorphone) without a required prescription.
Alice in Chains said via a statement: “Jerry and Sean are mourning the loss of their friend and ask that the media respect their privacy – and the privacy of Mike’s family - during this difficult time. Their thoughts and prayers are with Mike’s family.”
Mike, who had long battled substance abuse issues, was one of the founding members of the legendary Seattle-based rock group. They made a formidable impression on the grunge scene in the early 90s, with their first album ‘Facelift’ selling two million copies.
Mike left the group in ’93 while touring their second album ‘Dirt’. Years later, he revealed on ‘Celebrity Rehab’ that his reason for leaving was his growing addiction to drugs.
He later played bass for the band Sun Red Sun, which featured former Black Sabbath members Ray Gillen and Bobby Rondinelli, but the project was cut short by Gillen's death in 1993.
Speaking to TMZ on Tuesday, Starr’s father said, "It's a terrible shock and tragedy."
TMZ later reported that Starr had been mixing methadone and anxiety medication just hours before his death, according to his roommate. The report maintains that Starr was using the drugs as part of his effort to stay clean and that he had been "doing a pretty good job."
Starr's roommate added, "Mike was a beautiful person who was fighting to stay sober ... I am going to miss him greatly."
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