Layne Thomas Staley (born Layne Rutherford Staley; August 22, 1967 – April 5, 2002) was an American singer and songwriter who was the founding frontman for the grunge band Alice in Chains. His unique voice and ability to harmonize with guitarist/vocalist Jerry Cantrell made him a fan favorite. In addition to Alice N’ Chains and Sleze, Staley was a part of the supergroups Mad Season and Class of ’99.
Staley’s singing technique was praised by critics for the second single “Man in the Box” off Alice in Chains’ debut album Facelift (1990). It was the first EP ever to debut at number one on the Billboard 200 when Alice in Chains’ Jar of Flies (1994) did so.
But, Staley’s rapidly deteriorating health from heroin consumption compelled him to check into a treatment center. While Alice in Chains was on indefinite hiatus, he started a side group called Mad Season with other Seattle musicians Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, Barrett Martin of Screaming Trees, and John Baker Saunders of The Walkabouts.
What was the Cause of Layne Staley’s Dea†h?
Staley’s dea†h was attributed to a speedball, a combination of heroin and cocaine, according to the autopsy and toxicology report. According to the results of the autopsy, Staley passed away two weeks previous to the discovery of his body, on April 5—the same day that fellow grunge musician Kurt Cobain passed away eight years earlier.
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How Did Layne Staley Die?
No funds had been withdrawn from Staley’s bank account for two weeks when his accountants called his former manager Susan Silver on April 19, 2002. Nancy McCallum, Staley’s mother, was the one who called 911 to report that she hadn’t heard from her son “in about two weeks,” prompting Silver to get in touch with her.
McCallum and her ex-husband, Jim Elmer, accompanied the police to Staley’s house. Staley, who stood at 6 feet (1.8 meters), was barely 86 pounds (39 kilograms) when his body was found. Staley’s body was discovered in a semi-decomposed state.
Dental data were used by medical examiners to positively identify the body. McCallum went to Staley’s apartment two days before his body was discovered to tell him about the dea†h of Demri Parrott’s brother, but she received no response.
She was not shocked that Staley had not replied to her call to check on her kid two days later. His mail was sitting outside his door. When McCallum heard Staley’s normally quiet cat, Sadie, meow, he thought that it was a cry for help. McCallum dialed 911 when he still hadn’t heard back from Staley.
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