Former Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh has died of “chloroethane inhalation,” the Southern Minnesota Regional Coroner’s Office has confirmed.
Last month, the 41-year-old was found dead in his US apartment in Rochester, Minnesota.
Autopsy documents obtained by PA news agency listed “toxic effects of chloroethane” and “asphyxia” as contributing causes of his death.
The death was ruled an accident by the coroner.
A statement released by Campbell Danesh’s family said local police “did not find any indication of intent or suspicious circumstances.”
The Scottish singer-songwriter and actor, known as Darius Danesh to fame on the ITV show Popstars in 2001, also appeared on the first Pop Idol, won by Will Young.
After Pop Idol, Campbell Danesh turned down Simon Cowell’s offer of a record deal and signed with producer Steve Lillywhite, whose credits include U2 and The Rolling Stones.
Fellow Pop Idol contestants Will Young and Gareth Gates paid tribute to the singer after his death was announced, describing him as “driven, courageous and kind.”
Young, 43, wrote in a heartfelt tribute:
“I found this photo taken a while ago when I was a pop idol. If there was an example of not giving up on your dreams, Darius is the top of the pile.
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“Motivated, brave and kind. My love goes to his family at this time x”
Gates said Campbell Danesh took him “under his wing” while he was on the show and “like an older brother, he was always watching over me.”
“I miss our chats.
Music mogul Cowell paid tribute to the singer, as did Hollywood actor Gerard Butler.
The two were close friends and were photographed together in Malibu shortly before the singer’s death.
In a tribute to Campbell Danesh, Butler wrote that he had “a barely containable zest for life” and “the heart of a lion.”
“Those lucky enough to meet Darius for more than a few minutes were deeply moved by his infectious laughter and barely irrepressible zest for life,” he wrote.
“He was always armed with a smile, a booming voice and a genuinely warm hug that most people couldn’t resist and didn’t want to resist!
“He was an incredibly talented, soulful singer and actor with a presence.
“But most importantly, he had the heart of a lion. It was bigger and brighter than the sun, and its energy was so contagious that it could light up a room in seconds.” .”
The 52-year-old Butler, best known for films like 300, Law Abiding Citizen, Olympus Has Fallen, and their sequels, says his friends “inspire others to do better themselves.” He added that he was driven by
Campbell Danesh’s debut single, Colourblind, was released in July 2002 and quickly climbed to number one, beginning a string of Top 10 releases.
After his death, the song re-entered the music charts and reached the top of the iTunes download charts within days.
“He was found unresponsive in his bed in his Rochester, Minnesota apartment on August 11 and was confirmed dead later that afternoon by the local coroner’s office,” Campbell Danesh’s family said in a statement. .
