Teena Marie’s autopsy was completed yesterday, but Los Angeles County Coroner Ed Winter says her cause of death remains unclear.
According to the Atlanta Journal, investigators say the 54-year-old R&B singer’s autopsy results revealed no signs of trauma. This conflicts with rumors that Marie suffered several fractured ribs from a fall during a seizure she had weeks before she died.
Marie’s daughter, Alia Rose, found her mother’s body in their Pasadena home one day after they celebrated Rose’s 19th birthday.
There were reports that Marie died in her sleep after suffering a grand mal seizure. But there are people who experience seizures every day and they don’t die.
Also unclear is why Marie had seizures in the first place. Did she have epilepsy or were the seizures drug induced?
Winter said no illegal drugs were found in the family’s home where Marie died on December 26. But police removed a bottle of Valium from the scene. Valium is often prescribed for people with anxiety, panic attacks and to control seizures.
Marie reportedly stopped taking the drug due to its serious side effects, which include drowsiness, fatigue and constipation.
Teena Marie’s planned concert appearance on New Year’s Day at the Fox Theater in Atlanta will instead be a tribute to honor her career. Scheduled performers include MAZE and Frankie Beverly, along with Johnny Gill and Stephanie Mills.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the Fox Theater box office. Refunds are available at the point of purchase.
