Valium news stories on Newser

Thomas Kinkade Died of Booze, Valium OD: Coroner

Mary Papenfuss — Tue, 08 May 2012 05:16:00 CDT

Painter Thomas Kinkade died of an accidental overdose of alcohol and Valium , according to a California coroner's report. "Mr. Kinkade died of respiratory depression as a result of a high concentration of ethanol combined with benzodiazepine use," the Santa Clara County Coroner's Office determined in a report released by NBC...

In Whitney's System: Valium, Xanax, Booze

Evann Gastaldo — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:35:29 CST

Whitney Houston was killed by a combination of Valium, Xanax, and alcohol, an insider tells Radar . All three were found in her system, but the coroner is still waiting for toxicology results before the "major contributing factor of her demise" can be determined, the source says, adding that drowning is...

Probe Launched Into Whitney's Prescriptions, Doctors

Mary Papenfuss — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 03:46:00 CST

The investigation into Whitney Houston's death is now turning to her doctors and pharmacies. Investigators are expected in the next few days to serve subpoenas on the singer's physicians and the pharmacies where Houston obtained multiple prescription drugs, reports the Los Angeles Times . Officials aim to determine whether the drugs...

Ted Koppel's Son Died From Alcohol, Drugs

Fri, 18 Jun 2010 14:14:38 CDT

The son of former ABC News anchor Ted Koppel, who was found dead after a day of bar-hopping with a man he'd just met, died from a lethal combination of drugs and alcohol, the medical examiner's office said today. Andrew Koppel's May 31 death was ruled an accident. Koppel. 40,...

We're a Xanax Nation

Nick McMaster — Sun, 02 May 2010 09:50:01 CDT

Xanax is king in America—the anti-anxiety drug was prescribed more than any psychiatric medication in 2009, according to PsychCentral . We're a "zonked out" nation, observes Hamilton Nolan at Gawker , noting that the "first speed prescription" (amphetamine salts) doesn't show up until No. 11. Here's the top 10: Xanax Lexapro...

Stern Gave Smith Valium Shots: Guard

Evann Gastaldo — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:27:00 CDT

Howard K. Stern injected Anna Nicole Smith with Valium “four or five” times in the months between her son’s death and her own, her bodyguard testified yesterday. “She couldn’t swallow,” he said. “Anna and Howard felt if they put it in the blood system that it would get into her...

Family Member Tipped Off Cops to Jackson Drugs

Nick McMaster — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 01:26:28 CDT

Police searched Michael Jackson’s rented mansion in Bel Air the day after he died when a family member told them they’d found what looked like heroin there, AP reports. Tests found that the substance was not heroin, but investigators discovered other drugs in Jackson’s home: pot, generic Valium and other...

Cocaine Contributed to Billy Mays' Death: Autopsy

Nick McMaster — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 16:31:28 CDT

Cocaine figured into Billy Mays’ death, TMZ reports. An autopsy found traces of the drug in Mays' system, suggesting that the TV pitchman used it a few days before his death. The report lists “cocaine use” as a contributing cause of death, along with heart disease. The autopsy also found...

Accidental OD Killed Ledger

Polly Davis Doig — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:26:34 CST

Actor Heath Ledger died of an accidental overdose of sleeping pills, painkillers, and anti-anxiety medication, the New York City Medical Examiner's Office ruled today. OxyContin, Valium, Xanax, Restoril, Unisom, and ibuprofen combined to result in a lethal "acute intoxication," an ME spokeswoman told the AP.