Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh died after inhaling a gas used to treat his chronic neck pain following a horror car smash.
A doctor's report published today found the 41-year-old Scots-born singer died from sniffing chloroethane.
The gas, commonly known as ethyl chloride, is used as a pain-killing spray for minor sports injuries but is used by drug users and can produce a sense of euphoria if inhaled.
Darius, who came third in ITV ’s Pop Idol in 2002 behind Gareth Gates, 38, and winner Will Young, 43, was found dead at his flat in Rochester, Minnesota, US, last month.
In a statement his family said: “Darius’s death was an accident caused by chloroethane, which is used to treat pain and that tragically led to respiratory arrest.”
The singer broke his neck in 2010 when the Porsche he was a passenger in hit a wall at 70mph in Spain in 2010.
Chloroethane became popular as a street drug in the 1980s.
Inhalation of high doses can cause liver and kidney damage and death.
Darius’s debut single Colourblind reached No.1 in 2002 before he took to the stage in a number of West End hit shows.
Family and close friends, including Hollywood actor Gerard Butler, 52, turned out for his funeral in Glasgow.
