The family of former Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh have said that he was “suffering from chronic neck pain following a car accident in 2010”, as they thanked everyone for their “love and kindness” following his death.
The singer and actor was found dead in his US apartment, in Rochester, Minnesota, last month at the age of 41.
He died from “inhalation of chloroethane”, the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed, with his death ruled an accident by the medical examiner.
A statement from his family to the PA news agency said: “The results of medical examinations have confirmed that Darius’s death was an accident caused by chloroethane, which is used to treat pain and that tragically lead to respiratory arrest.
“Darius was suffering from chronic neck pain following a car accident in 2010.
“We would like to thank everyone for their love and kindness, and ask that the family’s privacy is maintained during this difficult time”.
Local police in the area said at the time of his death that there were "no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances".
On Friday evening, autopsy documents obtained by the PA news agency listed "toxic effects of chloroethane" in addition to "suffocation" as having contributed to his death. The death was ruled an accident by the medical examiner.
Chloroethane, commonly known as ethyl chloride, is used in petrol additives, plastics, dyes, pharmaceuticals, topical anaesthetics, and as an industrial refrigerant. Ethyl chloride became popular as an inhalant street drug in the 1980s.
Brief inhalations of the drug can result in dizziness, euphoria, confusion, incoordination, hallucinosis, impairment of short-term memory and narcosis.
The Scottish singer-songwriter and actor - who was known as Darius Danesh when he made his first bid for fame in ITV show Popstars in 2001 - also appeared on the first Pop Idol in 2002, finishing third behind Gareth Gates and eventual winner Will Young.
The news of his death saw an influx of tributes from across the showbiz industry, most notably Hollywood actor Gerard Butler who was a close friend of the singer.
Darius and Gerard bonded over their Scottish roots and were pictured together in Malibu shortly before the singer’s death.
The 300 star broke his nearly year-long Instagram hiatus to pay a heartfelt tribute to the man he called a "dear friend".
Gerard shared a snap of the pair smiling. He started his lengthy post by saying: "I am devastated by the sudden passing of my dear friend Darius, a true brother in arms. My thoughts and love go to his wonderful mum and dad Avril and Booth and his two brilliant brothers Aria and Cyrus."
Gerard added: "He was always armed with a smile, a booming voice, and a genuinely warm embrace that few could resist-nor would they want to.
"He was an incredible talent, a singer whose voice touched your soul and an actor with great presence. But, most importantly, he had the heart of a lion. It was bigger and brighter than the sun and an energy so contagious he could light up a room in seconds."
The emotional post concluded by the Scottish actor saying: "My heart aches heavily. But going forward, I will beat my drum louder and celebrate life and its every beautiful moment because my brother showed me that was a pretty awesome way to go about it."
