Esteemed the Cars frontman Ric Ocasek was found dead on Sunday (September 15), and now his official cause of death has been revealed.
New York City's chief medical examiner has confirmed Ocasek died of heart disease, specifically hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, TMZ reports. Pulmonary emphysema is also listed as a contributing condition to his death, while he also had a history of cancer, according to the report.
As such, Ocasek's death is being listed as natural.
Ocasek's family also has released a statement on the Cars' Instagram following his passing, revealing he was recovering from surgery before he died. The statement was written by his estranged wife, Paulina Porizkova, who found the musician unresponsive on Sunday.
"Ric was at home recuperating very well after surgery," the statement reads. "Our two sons, Jonathan and Oliver, and I were making sure he was comfortable, ordering food and watching TV together. I found him still asleep when bringing him his Sunday morning coffee. I touched his cheek to rouse him. It was then I realized that during the night he had peacefully passed on.
"We appreciate the great outpouring of love. We, his family and friends, are completely and utterly devastated by his untimely and unexpected death and would appreciate the privacy to mourn in private."
As previously reported, New York police received a call around 4 p.m. EDT on Sunday to check on an unconscious male at a townhouse on East 19th Street. The man was confirmed to be Ocasek and pronounced dead on the scene.
As previously reported, a number of musicians have paid tribute to the fallen artist.
New York City's chief medical examiner has confirmed Ocasek died of heart disease, specifically hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, TMZ reports. Pulmonary emphysema is also listed as a contributing condition to his death, while he also had a history of cancer, according to the report.
As such, Ocasek's death is being listed as natural.
Ocasek's family also has released a statement on the Cars' Instagram following his passing, revealing he was recovering from surgery before he died. The statement was written by his estranged wife, Paulina Porizkova, who found the musician unresponsive on Sunday.
"Ric was at home recuperating very well after surgery," the statement reads. "Our two sons, Jonathan and Oliver, and I were making sure he was comfortable, ordering food and watching TV together. I found him still asleep when bringing him his Sunday morning coffee. I touched his cheek to rouse him. It was then I realized that during the night he had peacefully passed on.
"We appreciate the great outpouring of love. We, his family and friends, are completely and utterly devastated by his untimely and unexpected death and would appreciate the privacy to mourn in private."
As previously reported, New York police received a call around 4 p.m. EDT on Sunday to check on an unconscious male at a townhouse on East 19th Street. The man was confirmed to be Ocasek and pronounced dead on the scene.
As previously reported, a number of musicians have paid tribute to the fallen artist.