Former NFL player Josh Mauro died from a drug overdose, according to the Maricopa County Medical Examiner.
A case status update, obtained by The California Post on Friday, shows investigators have preliminarily determined the ex-Arizona Cardinals defensive end died from “acute combined fentanyl, cocaine, and ethanol intoxication.”
They deemed the manner of his death an accident.
Mauro’s family announced his death last month in a heartbreaking statement.
“With many tears and broken hearts, yet anchored in the unshakable certainty that our precious Josh Mauro is now healed and made new-living in the presence of the Lord—we humbly covet your prayers as our family walks through the devastating loss of our amazing son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend,” his father Greg Mauro wrote on Facebook.
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The Phoenix Police Department was called to Mauro’s Arizona home on April 23 at 12:20 p.m. over a dead body that had been found at the residence.
“When officers arrived,” a spokesperson for the PPD said in a statement to The California Post last week, “they located an adult male, identified as 35-year-old Joshua Mauro, who was ultimately pronounced deceased on scene.
“Detectives responded to the scene to assume the investigation. At this time, there are no obvious signs of foul play.” Mauro broke into the NFL in 2014 with the Cardinals and played a total of eight seasons in the league. He logged snaps with the Giants and Raiders in addition to Arizona.
In 80 career games, he recorded five sacks and 130 combined tackles. His passing rocked the NFL world, with his former teammate, Maxx Crosby, saying in a video statement that the situation made him “sick to my stomach.”
“My guy Josh Mauro just passed away recently,” Crosby said. “Damn, bro, I really don’t have words. I love you, bro, and I wish I could’ve done more for you. I wish I could’ve been there for you. It’s just tough man.”
