Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Cough Syrup OD Killed Rapper

Pimp C overdose was coupled with sleep disorder

By Peter Fearon,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 5, 2008 6:32 AM CST
Email

(Newser) – Texas rapper Pimp C, found dead in a Los Angeles hotel room in December, died from an overdose of prescription cough syrup coupled with a sleep disorder that interrupts breathing, the LA coroner ruled yesterday. The 33-year-old Grammy nominee's death has been ruled an accident, reports the Houston Chronicle. Pimp C, whose real name was Chad Butler, died while he was in town for a concert.

Authorities say cough syrup containing codeine is widely abused as a narcotic.  "Sleep apnea, you stop breathing. Coupled with a medication that suppresses your respiratory abilities, you end up with an accidental death," said a spokesman from the coroner's office.  Pimp C and partner Bun B of UGK have been nominated for a Grammy this year for their chart-topping two CD-album Underground Kingz.

Band mate Bun B arrives for the funeral of rapper Pimp C, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007 in Port Arthur, Texas. Officials said the rapper, whose real name was Chad Butler, apparently died in bed and there were no signs of foul play. Autopsy and toxicology results weren't yet available. (AP...
Band mate Bun B arrives for the funeral of rapper Pimp C, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007 in Port Arthur, Texas. Officials said the rapper, whose real name was Chad Butler, apparently died in bed and there were...   (Associated Press)
Rapper Pimp C, whose real name is Chad Butler, speaks during a jailhouse interview at the Terrell Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice near Rosharon, Texas, in this March 2005, file photo. Influential Southern rapper Pimp C died of an accidental overdose of a combination of drugs he...
Rapper Pimp C, whose real name is Chad Butler, speaks during a jailhouse interview at the Terrell Unit of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice near Rosharon, Texas, in this March 2005, file photo....   (Associated Press)
Rapping duo 8 Ball, left, and MJG leave the funeral of rapper Pimp C , Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007 in Port Arthur, Texas. Pimp C, half of the trailblazing rap duo Underground Kingz, was found dead Dec. 4 in the Mondrian Hotel in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
Rapping duo 8 Ball, left, and MJG leave the funeral of rapper Pimp C , Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007 in Port Arthur, Texas. Pimp C, half of the trailblazing rap duo Underground Kingz, was found dead Dec. 4...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Underground King

Cough syrup cited in rapper Pimp C's death
Los Angeles Times

Bun B starts over
Houston Chronicle

 
Grammy Awards • Pimp C • Bun B • UGK • sleep apnea • Promethazine/Codeine • Los Angeles County Coroner • Underground Kingz

More Newser Stories

Rapper Pimp C Found Dead in Hotel Room
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne