Virginia's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has determined that GWAR singer Dave Brockie died from an accidental heroin overdose earlier this year.
Blabbermouth and local television outlet WTVR report that Brockie died from "acute heroin toxicity and the manner of death is accident." Brockie -- better known by his stage name Oderus Urungus -- died March 23 in his North Richmond home. He was 50 years old.
GWAR's official site nor social media pages have made no comment on the medical examiner's report. According to the band's Facebook page, plans are underway to open up a GWARbar in Richmond, Virginia later this summer, a restaurant which will "bring to life one of the last dreams of their fallen singer...." An indiegogo campaign has been set up and is now closing in at $13,000 with a goal of $50,000 set by the end of June 21. As well the band will go ahead with a GWAR-B-Q on Aug. 16 with a special memorial for Brockie held on Aug. 15 in Richmond.
On hearing the cause of Brockie's death, Lamb Of God singer Randy Blythe took to Instagram to post his thoughts along with a 2006 photo showing Blythe, Brockie and fellow GWAR member Brad Roberts. "He partied hard at periods, but I think he was more of a drug dabbler," Blythe wrote in a lengthy message. "But there's a lesson here -- dabbling with drugs kills people dead every day, just like being fully addicted does. I am so fucking sick of my friends dying from alcohol & drugs. Really, really, tired of it -- some of them die slow in the throes of addiction, & some of them die after just doing something stupid one night after a party."
GWAR -- known for their over-the-top stage shows and costumes -- are also slated to perform at RiotFest in Chicago this September. The group released their last studio album "Battle Maximus" last year.