Corey Haim Died of Natural Causes, Not From Drugs

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted May 4th 2010 05:39PM

Actor Corey Haim died from pneumonia complicated by an enlarged heart, bad lungs and narrowed blood vessels, while drugs found in his system played no role in his death, the Los Angeles County coroner said Tuesday.

Haim, 38, died of natural causes from "community-acquired pneumonia" along with lung, heart and blood vessel problems, according to an autopsy report.

Low levels of eight drugs, including both prescription and over-the-counter medications, were found in his system along with marijuana, coroner's spokesman Craig Harvey said.

"But nothing was at a level that would have contributed to his death," Harvey said.

They included common cold and flu medications, such as ibuprofen and a cough-suppressant, he said.

Haim, who had struggled with drug problems throughout his life, died March 10 after collapsing in his mother's apartment. Haim was ill with flulike symptoms before his death, and police said he was taking over-the-counter and prescription medications.

"The pneumonia is what killed him," Harvey said.

Mark Heaslip, the actor's agent, did not return a phone message seeking comment Tuesday.

California Attorney General Jerry Brown said in April that Haim employed "doctor shopping" to obtain 553 prescription pills in the two months before his death. Brown called Haim - the star of 1980s films such as "The Lost Boys" and "License to Drive" - a poster child for prescription drug abuse. He said Haim obtained powerful sedatives such as Valium and Xanax and painkillers such as Vicodin and Oxycontin.

However, no Oxycontin was found in his body, Harvey said. He noted that Haim's heart was abnormally large and factored in his death.

"His heart was 530 grams. The average normal heart weighs 300 grams," Harvey said.

Haim also had damaged lungs and arteriosclerosis of his coronary arteries, with some vessels 50-percent and even 75-percent blocked.

Harvey said it was unclear how long Haim had suffered from the medical problems or the pneumonia or whether earlier treatment might have saved him.

A message left with Brown's office was not immediately returned Tuesday.

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Tags: Corey Haim

Comments

(67)

Tuesday 04 May

By Granny

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I hardly consider an enlarged heart, bad lungs and narrowed blood vessels natural causes. This is what happens to you when you have addiction problems. It was only a matter of time!

By jack

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and you acquired your medical degree from where?

By Mickey

Don't need a medical degree to figure that one out Jack. Well, maybe you do. People die young when they abuse their bodies. A lot of people die from pneumonia because their defenses are obliterated by something else. Doesn't take a rocket scientist either Jack.

By Race Fan

Granny is correct, Jack. I'm not an MD, but I am a Registered Nurse that works with heart transplants and have seen way too many young people needing new hearts due to their heart being enlarged from cocaine use. Any drug that speeds up the heart makes the heart work more. The heart is a muscle. The more you work it out, the bigger and thicker it gets. The heart then cannot pump effectively and that in turn effects all systems of the body.

By MandiP

All of these things CAN happen when you DON'T have drug problems. Especially when something congenital is overlooked.

By madworld711

Ultimately, it was the drugs-- cause and effect.

By rich

great point Granny. They tried to say the same thing when Brittany Murphy died. This poor guy was a drug addict and he put his body in a position to die.....it is not natural causes to die at 38..... who are they fooling

By premenos

Drugs aren't the only cause of enlarged hearts, if it even is. It is generally the product of heart disease.

By SgtJoeFriday

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I agree. while his death was not drug related, those are hardly natural causes (especially for someone his age).

Wednesday 05 May

By Chelle

Cocaine didn't contribute to his blocked arteries. It's a shame that a man who battled a serious addiction is hounded by accusations even in death, and even after a tox screen shows he was clean of illicit drugs. RIP Corey

By rjktek999

Granny - This is Jethro. Elly Mae is at Drysdales Bank with Uncle Jed. If this were the Beverly Hillbillies, I would believe your hillbilly diagnosis. Unfortunately it is not!!!

You're not a doctor, only a moron!!!

By undrgrndgirl

typical that they'd call out cannabis, but why don't they name the pharmaceuticals (rx and otc)?? they are FAR MORE dangerous than the cannabis!!!

By mark

medications don't rot your lungs, inhaling marijuana smoke does.

By ManicD

Hey undrgirl.......I like you. And Mark, you...not so much.

To the contrary Mark; studies show marijuana has no adverse effects on the lungs. Look it up.

By cydonia_blues

"medications don't rot your lungs, inhaling marijuana smoke does."

That's why they make Pot Brownies. Problem solved.

By Melissa Dodge

Yeah, but look at Willie Nelson!! Have you seen him lately?? 77 years old and looks surprisingly well for his age, and he's an admitted life-long pot smoker. Sharp as a tack too. Cigarettes are ten times worse, and I guarantee they contributed to Haim's lung probs.

By Chuck Simmers

I had the pleasure to work with Corey on "Fast Get Away II" Not only did he treat the crew with respect, he came to the set on top of his game. I put Corey on top of the list with "Non Ego Actors" I've worked with, along with Will Smith & Kurt Russell. Please stop the Hate! Hollywood is full of trash worthy of a beat down...leave Corey alone.
Charles Simmers (Directors Guild of America)

By Tom 3:16

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Willie Nelson looks like 40 miles of bad road. I'm 69 and look like at least a generation younger!!!

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Enlarged hearts are often the result from cocaine use. The pneumonia may have killed him, but only because he was in such poor health from his drug addiction and the result of such addictions.

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