Death of The Wire Michael K. Williams is deemed accidental after ingesting fentanyl-laced heroin and cocaine, autopsy reveals
- The 54-year-old actor was discovered dead in his Brooklyn home September 6
- An autopsy report confirming the cause of Williams’ death was released today
- He was best known for his role in the hit HBO series The Wire
Actor Michael K. Williams died inside his luxury Brooklyn penthouse after ingesting fentanyl-laced heroin and cocaine, an autopsy revealed.
The New York Coroner’s office ruled the 54-year-old’s death accidental today, naming the cause as ‘acute intoxication by the combined effects of fentanyl, p-fluorofentanyl, heron and cocaine.’
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It can cause death when taken in high doses or when combined with other substances.
It is believed to be driving the nation’s most overdose deaths, and earlier this month nearly killed comedian Kate Quigley, who unknowingly consumed fentanyl-laced cocaine at a Venice Beach house party.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether homicide detectives will be investigating Williams death, but New York police previously said that they would launch an investigation to find his dealer.
Michael K Williams died after consuming fentanyl-laced drugs inside his Brooklyn apartment
Williams was discovered unconscious and facedown in the living room of his Williamsburg apartment by his nephew on September 6.
A doorman subsequently called 911 claiming Williams was ‘unresponsive’ and ‘felt cold’. Medics rushed to the scene, but declared the actor dead at 2:12pm.
Williams was best known for his role in the hit HBO series The Wire, which ran from 2002 to 2008. However, he also won praise for his role in last year’s drama, Lovecraft Country for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Williams shot to international fame playing gay stick-up man Omar Little in The Wire. President Barack Obama once described The Wire as his favorite show and Omar as his favorite character.
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