A month after Trans-Siberian Orchestra leader Paul O'Neill died at age 61 from what was described as chronic illness, the Associated Press is reporting that the mastermind behind the perennial holiday favorite touring extravaganza was felled by a deadly mix of prescription drugs. According to a copy of the autopsy report from the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's office in Tampa, Florida, O'Neill died of intoxication from a mixture of methadone, codeine, Valium and an antihistamine.
Doctors pegged the cause of death as intoxication and the manner of death as drug abuse, noting that O'Neill also suffered from heart disease, hypertension and moderate hardening of the arteries. The medical examiner said the death was accidental. O'Neill was found dead in his room at the Tampa Embassy Suites hotel by staff.