The cause of Hip-hop legend Earl “DMX” Simmons’ death has been revealed, three months after his untimely death. A source from the Westchester County Medical Examiner’s office revealed that the rapper died from cardiac arrest due to cocaine intoxication.  

“It was cardiac arrest for a period of time, so there was no circulation to the brain,” the source told Vulture.

Also Read: DMX, rapper who chronicled struggles of American street through his music

On April 2, 911 received a call for help around 10pm and paramedics arrived at the scene within six minutes. The paramedics proceeded to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation on the rapper while he was being transported to the hospital. 

“His death literally happened immediately because the brain was dead. So obviously, there were a number of days where he was on ventilatory support and so forth in the hospital . . . However, he was diagnosed brain-dead early on . . . He never woke up from [a] coma,” the source noted. 

Also Read: Fans salute the memory of rapper DMX following his death

Soon after he was hospitalised, the rapper’s family said he was in a “vegetative” state. 

“We ask that you please keep Earl/DMX and us in your thoughts, wishes, and prayers as well as respect our privacy as we face these challenges. Earl was a warrior who fought till the very end,” his family said at the time. 

He died on April 9 at the age of 50. Two weeks later, his memorial service was held at the Barclays Center. Several of his friends, family and fans came to honour the icon. 

“It hurts anytime you lose a soldier, but this one hurts different because he was the main piece on the board,” rapper Jadakiss said at the service. 

 His posthumous album, Exodus, was released on May 28. The album, which featured Snoop Dogg, Swizz Beatzz, and Lil Wayne,  debuted at number eight on the US Billboards 200.