The cause of death was officially revealed when The Rev’s autopsy results were released. It was reported that Sullivan died due to an Opioid Overdose, which exacerbated his existing health risks. 

These included an enlarged heart and liver, a fact documented by Orange County Deputy Coroner Mitchell Sigal who described the former as a “significant condition“. 

This tragic death marks a sombre end to the life of an innovative drummer whose music touched so many through its unique blend of aggression and flair. At the time of his death, Sullivan was only 28 years old — a testament to all he had achieved in his short life. May he rest in peace.

The recent medical reports from the autopsy of late singer-songwriter Dean Sullivan have revealed quite a shock; several substances were found in his system at the time he passed. 

These substances were oxycodone and oxymorphone, both of which are categorized as painkillers, as well as diazepam and nordiazepam, two different anxiety medications. 

Also present was ethanol – a compound responsible for causing intoxication when consuming alcoholic beverages. Rolling Stone, among other sources, was able to confirm ethanol’s presence in the medical report. 

This news has been met with shock by fans across the globe while serving as an important reminder of both the prevalence and severity of substance abuse in our society today.

The initial statement by a Huntington Beach police officer of natural causes in the passing of musician Sullivan had the public stunned. 

Soon, however, rumors began to circulate that an overdose had taken place and, worse yet, these rumors sadly proved truthful when his autopsy report came out. 

To add to the shock, there were no signs of any suspicious activity or trauma when law enforcement arrived on the scene; only an untimely death due to overdosing on a mixture of drugs. 

It was a tragedy for both friends and family members alike as their worst fears were realized upon hearing of this revelation.

Funeral 

On January 6, 2010, the world said goodbye to the Rev, a highly-admired rock musician and childhood friend of Avenged Sevenfold’s Synyster Gates and M. Shadows. 

The impact the Rev had on their lives was so profound that shortly after his death M. Shadows and Gates dedicated their fifth studio album “Nightmare” to him, along with several songs – such as “So Far Away” written by Gates himself and “Fiction” written by the Rev just three days prior to his death. 

In an interview, Gates and M. Shadows described the Rev as a major element in their lives and stated how they were thankful for being able to share such meaningful moments together before his sudden departure which left them both struggling with his loss. 

Finally, after a private ceremony at The Good Shepherd Cemetery in Huntington Beach, he was laid to rest leaving behind a legacy of music for us all.

“The eeriest thing about it is there is a song on the album called ‘Fiction’ [a nickname the Rev gave himself] which started out with the title ‘Death.’ And it was the last song The Rev wrote for the album, and when he handed it in, he said, ‘That’s it, that’s the last song for this record.’ And then, three days later, he died.”

Autopsy Report

On December 30, 2009, an autopsy was conducted on the beloved husband and father of two. At first, the autopsy results proved inconclusive. 

However, toxicology results released to the public months later revealed that he had died of an overdose of oxycodone (Percocet), oxymorphone (a metabolite of oxycodone), diazepam (Valium), nordiazepam (a metabolite of diazepam), and alcohol – a combination that became increasingly fatal as each drug heightened the effects of the other in his system. 

This news sent shockwaves throughout his family and friends who mourned his passing deeply.