The cause of death for Nashawn Breedlove, best known for his role in the 2002 film “8 Mile,” has been revealed. According to an autopsy report released by New Jersey’s Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner, Breedlove died at the age of 46 due to acute intoxication from a combination of fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, cocaine, and ethanol. His death has been ruled as an accident.
Breedlove’s body was found in a “decomposed” state in his one-bedroom apartment in New Jersey. Concerns were raised by a tenant living below his apartment after noticing a foul odor and “puddle of brown fluid” leaking from her ceiling for the second time in two days. An officer and the landlord had to use crowbars to force open the locked door to gain access to Breedlove’s apartment.
The news of his passing was first confirmed by a spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Health on September 26, though his mother, Patricia Breedlove, had announced it in a since-deleted Facebook post the same day. In the post, she described Nashawn as a talented rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor, known by his aliases Lotto and Ox.
Breedlove was best known for his role as freestyle rapper Lotto in “8 Mile,” starring alongside Eminem. He also wrote and recorded a song for DJ Pooh’s 2001 film “The Wash,” and his talent was recognized and praised by fellow artists such as rapper Mickey Factz.
The news of his cause of death has brought to light the devastating impact of substance abuse in the entertainment industry, and serves as a reminder of the importance of mental health and wellness for those working in high-pressure environments.