The Tragic Death Of The Grateful Dead's Brent Mydland

"The autopsy examination revealed a recent puncture mark on the left arm consistent with a recent intravenous injection prior to death," said Capt. Al Moore of the Contra Costa Coroner's office in the Los Angeles Times' 1990 report. Toxicology tests revealed lethal levels of morphine and cocaine in the blood, a mixture commonly known as "speedball," according to the Times.

As the Los Angeles Times reported, an autopsy found that the keyboardist had experienced acute cocaine and narcotic intoxication, although no drugs or narcotic paraphernalia was found at the scene. Mydland's body was found on July 26 by friends, who had not heard from the band member since the day before.

Mydland served as the third Grateful Dead member to die, following founding member Ron "Pigpen" McKernan in 1973 and Keith Godchaux in 1980. Guitarist Jerry Garcia called Mydland's death "crushing", according to Relix, an event that abruptly ended a decade of stability for the band. Garcia himself died in 1995.

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