Mike Starr's Funeral Delayed For Tests

The funeral of former Alice In Chains bassist Mike Starr has been postponed for several weeks so medical examiners can carry out more tests on his body.

The rocker, who had been fighting substance abuse problems, was found dead at a house in Salt Lake City, Utah last week (08 March).

The cause of death is not yet known but the rocker's roommate has alleged that Starr took heroin substitute methadone the night before he died, and mixed the drug with anti-anxiety medication.

Police investigating Starr's death say they have no reason to suspect foul play but they now want to carry out further examinations.

His family has been told plans to hold a funeral this Sunday (20 March) will have to wait while the tests get underway.

Starr's relatives are still going ahead with a memorial service without the body this weekend (19-20 March) in Seattle, Washington so the rocker's friends and family can pay their respects.

The website reports that Starr's family then plans to hold two funeral services - one for fans and a private one for relatives - when his body is finally handed over.

Thanks for the report to Contactmusic.com.

Comments

[Silverpack]

This kind of news is, weirdly, both sad and ridiculous. The rockstar dying because of drug abuse may be the gloomier cliche ever(and yet it keeps on happening).

[CryoCarnage]

still shitty to see him pass.

[Abacus11]

R.I.P. Mike Starr.

[sk8aman23]

Yet another musician to die of heroine abuse. Hopefully they won't BS themselves like slipknot did for a year. Replace his ass, move on.

[shwilly]

Silverpack wrote:

This kind of news is, weirdly, both sad and ridiculous. The rockstar dying because of drug abuse may be the gloomier cliche ever(and yet it keeps on happening).

True, but what DOES seem like a trend is the huge amount of people who overdose on prescribed medications these days (either by themselves or in combination with the "real stuff"). It's been like 3 years since they announced that more people od on premeds nowadays than on "recreational drugs", at least in the US. I wouldn't be surprised if Mike's case turned out to be the latest one...

I really don't see why billions of dollars are being spent on the war on drugs while pharmaceutical companies are allowed to MAKE billions by lobbying, advertising and selling their stuff legally: in the end their crap kills more people

R.I.P. Mikey

[darkwolf291]

He HAS been replaced...years ago.

[shwilly]

sk8aman23 wrote:

Yet another musician to die of heroine abuse. Hopefully they won't BS themselves like slipknot did for a year. Replace his ass, move on.

He didn't play with 'em since '92. Apparently that's when he first started having some serious problems

It took 'em years to decide whether to reform without Layne. I'm not sure whether they would've done the same thing if they'd lost 2 people at the same tiem

As sad as the history surrounding this band has turned out to be, I'm really glad to see how they've held together because they're still an INCREDIBLE band. Saw 'em last year and it was one of the best concerts of my entire life

[i_am_metalhead]

Mike Starr stated on Celebrity Rehab that he was kicked out of AIC in the early 90s for drug abuse. Mike Inez has been playing with them since '93.

Its sad to see people get involved with drugs and, ultimately, end their lives with them. But when you make the kind of money that these big name rockstars make its all too easy to get into that stuff.

RIP Mike Starr.

[Abacus11]

sk8aman23 wrote:

Yet another musician to die of heroine abuse. Hopefully they won't BS themselves like slipknot did for a year. Replace his ass, move on.

They replaced him 19 years ago.

[pedromiles101]

this is to the point where i assume that any "rock and roll" related death has something to do with drugs.

[loinmute]

Benzodiazepines and opiates are a bad mix. Both of these drug types slow down the C.N.S and breathing.

[K!!LsWiTcH]

shwilly wrote:

sk8aman23 wrote:

Yet another musician to die of heroine abuse. Hopefully they won't BS themselves like slipknot did for a year. Replace his ass, move on. He didn't play with 'em since '92. Apparently that's when he first started having some serious problems

It took 'em years to decide whether to reform without Layne. I'm not sure whether they would've done the same thing if they'd lost 2 people at the same tiem

As sad as the history surrounding this band has turned out to be, I'm really glad to see how they've held together because they're still an INCREDIBLE band. Saw 'em last year and it was one of the best concerts of my entire life

this

[fender--player1]

moral of the story everyone:

dont do drugs

[JSmith38]

sk8aman23 wrote:

Yet another musician to die of heroine abuse. Hopefully they won't BS themselves like slipknot did for a year. Replace his ass, move on.

lol fail

[ubertone]

He hasn't been in the band for almost two decades... yet always, ALWAYS introduced himself as "Mike Starr, Alice in Chains". Mike Starr is a worse stage name than anyone in Kiss... just sayin'

[rickygarcia90]

sk8aman23 wrote:

Yet another musician to die of heroine abuse. Hopefully they won't BS themselves like slipknot did for a year. Replace his ass, move on.

EPIC failure!!

[kratos379]

Isn't this the same thing that The Rev overdosed on? It's really sad that people continue to do these drugs despite knowing that they can be fatal. More reason to not do drugs.

[metal_cobs]

Drugs are bad, mmkay?

[ogznog]

That man wrote some kickass bass lines.

[shwilly]

ubertone wrote:

He hasn't been in the band for almost two decades... yet always, ALWAYS introduced himself as "Mike Starr, Alice in Chains". Mike Starr is a worse stage name than anyone in Kiss... just sayin'

*sigh

What are you suggesting, that he should have introduced himself as "Michael Christopher" before each show? Mike Starr WAS his name

Seriously, I know most people who VAGUELY knew this band are now probably all going "wait, so the guy who plays bas in Alice ain't the original one?", and I'm OK with that (hell, I've been a huge fan for many, many years now and even I would sometimes forget it wasn't Inez but Starr playing on those early albums, pbbly because he wasn't as as "omnipresent" on those records as Layne)...

But seriously, what's with all these "I don't really have anything to say but I'm gonna say it anyway" comments...

[EpiExplorer]

I'm pretty sure its methodRone.

[Camron62\m/]

Kurt Cobain-esque death. accomplished. RIP

[redhead844]

"replace his ass"?? are you seriously that stupid?or are you trying to be funny? he was out of AIC since 1992 so what the hell are you talking about. the rest of youzjlearn some respect! above all,musician or not, he was a good person and had a great talent but had a lot of issues...who doesn't? and sadly they overcame him...people like you all and your ignorant comments anger the hell out of me. you all could learn something if you shut your traps and open you goddamn eyes.