Darius Campbell Danesh’s family have released a statement following news that his death was ruled as accidental.
The singer passed away last month at the age of 41 and over the weekend, the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that Darius' death was due to 'inhalation of chloroethane' and 'suffocation'.
Following this, Darius' family have released a statement, explaining his use of chloroethane was due to a car accident in 2010.
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It reads: “The results of medical examinations have confirmed that Darius’s death was an accident caused by chloroethane, which is used to treat pain and that tragically lead to respiratory arrest.
“Darius was suffering from chronic neck pain following a car accident in 2010. We would like to thank everyone for their love and kindness, and ask that the family’s privacy is maintained during this difficult time”.
The car accident occurred in 2010 in Spain. Darius had been a passenger in a Porsche when it hit a wall at 70mph, leaving him with a broken neck.
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He recalled at the time that a nurse told him if the damage to his spine had been 3 millimetres further to the left or right, he would have been paralysed or killed.
The singer was treated with daily physiotherapy but turned down an operation that doctors had recommended for fear that it would damage his vocal cords.
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Last month, Darius was sadly found dead in his apartment room in Rochester, Minnesota, on Thursday 11 August.
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A statement from the family at the time said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Darius Campbell Danesh. Darius was found unresponsive in bed in his apartment room in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 11 and was pronounced dead in the afternoon by the local medical examiners’ office.
“The local police department have confirmed that there were no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances. The cause of his sudden death is unknown at this stage while medical examinations continue.
“We ask that you kindly respect our wishes for privacy at this time whilst we come to terms with the tragic loss of our son and brother.”
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The Scottish singer-songwriter and actor was known as Darius Danesh when he made his first bid for fame in ITV show Popstars in 2001.
He also came third in 2002's instalment of Pop Idol, behind winner Will Young and runner-up Gareth Gates, and went on to release two studio albums, 2002's Dive In and its 2004 follow-up Live Twice.
He also forged a successful career in the West End, having appeared in musicals including Chicago and the Olivier Award-winning Guys and Dolls.
Lucy Devine