STATIC-X frontman Wayne Static (Wayne Richard Wells) passed away at the age of 48 in his sleep on November 1st, 2014. A coroner’s report indicates that Static‘s death “was a result of mixing cocktail of Xanax and other powerful prescription drugs with alcohol”.
Blabbermouth obtained the official coroner’s report (which can be seen here). In it, the report states that on Nov. 1 at approximately 0700 hours (7AM), Static and his wife went to bed. His wife stated that just prior to going to bed, Static crushed one-half of a 30 mg oxycodone pill and consumed it. The oxycodone had been prescribed to Static’s wife. He also drank an unknown amount of alcohol. At 1530 hours (3:30PM), Static’s wife awoke, found him dead and called 911 at 1547 (3:47PM) hours. Paramedics arrived and confirmed the death at 1600 hours (4PM), noting rigor mortis and lividity. There was no evidence that foul play or a struggle had taken place.
The report continues, “Wayne’s wife said he took oxycodone, Xanax and alcohol to relieve panic attacks. He took Xanax on a daily basis and was compliant with the prescribed dosage. His wife stated he would occasionally have his own prescription for oxycodone, but he would usually take hers. The decedent also had a history of gynecomastia … His wife stated both she and he decedent had a history of cocaine and ecstasy abuse, but they stopped using illicit drugs in 2009. The decedent’s mother stated he was a self-admitted alcoholic. She believed his drinking had been a problem for about two years. Both his wife and mother stated he was not suicidal.”
The official cause of death is listed on the coroner’s report as “mixed prescription drug (oxycodone, hydromorphone, alprazolam) with alcohol toxicity, hours, due to chronic prescription drug and alcohol abuse, years.” The “manner of death” is given as “natural.”
PAPA ROACH singer Jacoby Shaddix apologized for remarks he made shortly after Static‘s death, suggesting that Wayne‘s passing was caused by a drug overdose. Shaddix told Loudwire, “I read a blog online that said it was an O.D., and I posted online, ‘Too many dudes dying because of drugs. It’s terrible.’ Apparently, it’s not drugs, so I put on my Facebook that I was incredibly sorry that I jumped the gun if that’s not the truth. My heart goes out to his family, regardless. My intention wasn’t to drag him through the mud or anything.”
STATIC-X became one of the most popular acts in the so-called “nu metal” movement, selling more than one million copies of its 1999 debut, “Wisconsin Death Trip”. The disc included the rock radio hit “Push It”.
STATIC-X released five more studio albums, with the last being “Cult Of Static” in 2009. The band broke up shortly after that, reformed again with a new lineup in 2012, then disbanded permanently in June 2013.
Static released his first and only solo album, “Pighammer”, in 2011.
