Former Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh died from “inhalation of chloroethane”, the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed.
The singer and actor was found dead in his US apartment in Rochester, Minnesota, last month at the age of 41.
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.
He famously declined an offer from tycoon Simon Cowell to sign a record deal and instead worked on Colourblind himself with producer Steve Lillywhite, whose credits include U2 and the Rolling Stones. It was a UK number one and his album Dive In also ranked in the UK top 10.
Darius also had success on the West End where he performed in major shows such as Chicago, Gone With The Wind and Guys and Dolls.
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."
He continued to praise the singer with his heartfelt words and said that anyone who knew him was "moved by his infectious laugh and barely containable zest for life".
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."
Simon Cowell also shared a sentimental statement shortly after the news of Darius' death broke. The music mogul said: "I first saw Darius on television over 20 years ago and I got to know him really well.
"He was charismatic, funny and just a great person to be with. His passing, for someone so young, is an absolute tragedy and my heart goes out to his family and friends."
Get all the biggest showbiz news straight to your inbox. Sign up for the free Mirror Showbiz newsletter.
