Sean Costello’s autopsy cites accidental drug overdose
June 3, 2008 at 4:27 pm by Chad Radford in News
On Tuesday, June 3, the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office released its autopsy report on Atlanta bluesman Sean Costello, the subject of this week’s Creative Loafing cover story: Sean Costello, 1979-2008. Sadly, it was a drug overdose that killed him. The report states that the cause of death was “toxicity of heroin, chlordiazepoxide, ephedrine and amphetamine.”
The report also notes recent cocaine use by Costello. The medical examiner who completed the autopsy, Dr. Geoffrey Smith, says that it is impossible to determine exactly which drug or drug interaction caused Costello’s death, but it was most likely the result of the combination of the drugs in his system.
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June 4th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
Blessings on all the many, many who love our guy. Rest in peace, Sweet Sean. We miss you more than we can say.
June 16th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
What a wanker.
July 5th, 2008 at 2:16 am
There needs to be a little more compassion in this world. This business is a hard one and it is even sadder when you feel lonely a good portion of the time. rest in peace, Sean
July 5th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I agree, but there is a fine line between compassion for a persons demons and enabling them. After nearly 30 years in the music business, I have seen both sides of the same coin. We love the people and the music they create, so we permit their destructive behaviour. I don’t know Sean or the people around him, but I wonder what may have happened if those closest to him had intervened forcefully. If that happened, I applaud those who tried, it is incredibly hard to do. I tried and lost my best friend. He didn’t die, but he is gone from me because of my efforts.
July 5th, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Dale, I understand what you are saying. I lost a brother to suicide due to his combination of Bi-polar disorder and alcoholism. I have been playing Blues for 41 years and unfortunately there is a high rate of “Industrial accidents” in this business. I wish I had a broader set of answers.
For all those who loved Sean, check out seancostello.com for info about the foundation that his Mother Debbie is establishing in Sean’s honor.
July 7th, 2008 at 7:46 am
I have seen too many of those “industrial accidents”. My condolences on the loss of your brother.