Disclaimer: This article contains mentions of substance abuse and death. Reader discretion is advised.
Having rapped about his struggles with substance abuse, late American rapper Juice WRLD was born Jarad Higgins and hailed from Illinois, The Vogue reported. The musician made his career break following the release of his single “Lucid Dreams,” which peaked at No. 2 on the Hot 100 in 2018. His debut album, Goodbye & Good Riddance, dropped in 2018 and reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200. Later, he collaborated with Future on a mixtape titled WRLD ON DRUGS, which also peaked at No. 2, per Billboard.
According to the New York Times, at the peak of his career, Higgins tragically passed away in December 2019 at the age of 21. The incident occurred at Midway International Airport in Chicago during a drug raid. He reportedly went into convulsions as officers searched the private jet he was on for drugs and guns.
Juice WRLD rose to prominence on SoundCloud. He recorded songs directly on his cellphone and started posting songs online in 2015 while still in high school.
What did Juice WRLD’s autopsy reveal & what was the cause of death?
The New York Times reported that Juice WRLD’s autopsy confirmed the cause of death to be an accidental drug overdose. He died on December 8, 2019, six days after his 21st birthday, as a result of oxycodone and codeine toxicity. The incident occurred at Midway International Airport in Chicago during a raid as officers searched the private jet he was on for drugs and guns. The autopsy results backed up law enforcement accounts that the rapper went into convulsions during the raid.
USA Today reported that Chicago police said, “Upon CPD arriving, the occupants of the target plane were standing in the lobby with luggage loaded on two luggage carts. Illinois State Police K9 Unit began a search which immediately indicated a positive narcotics alert on a suitcase on the first cart. The K9 officer then conducted a search on the second cart of luggage with another positive alert of narcotics. “
The statement further mentioned, “During the investigation, a 21-year-old male suffered a medical emergency, causing him to have a seizure. The report indicates that a Homeland Security Officer administrated Narcan to the victim.”
According to BBC, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Juice WRLD’s manner of death as accidental. The drugs, oxycodone and codeine, are used to treat severe pain and also contain opioids.
Chicago Fire Department spokesman Larry Langford said he suffered cardiac arrest, per USA Today. They transported him to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, Illinois, where medical professionals pronounced him dead about two hours later.
HBO’s 2021 documentary Juice Wrld: Into the Abyss explores the deceased rapper’s life, his legacy as a famed musician, and his tragic death.
