Hawkins is survived by his wife and three children. Photo / Getty Images
Hawkins is survived by his wife and three children. Photo / Getty Images
WARNING: This story contains distressing details relating to drug use
Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins died with 10 drugs in his system, according to Colombian authorities investigating the musician's sudden death.
The shocking revelation comes amid speculation Hawkins may have died from a heart attack, according to health authorities in the Colombian city of Bogota where he was found dead in an hotel room.
Outlets including Variety are now reporting that the attorney general of Colombia has announced Hawkins had antidepressants, benzodiazepines and opioids in his system, along with THC, the main psychoactive component in cannabis.
A report in a major Colombian newspaper also named heroin as one of the drugs allegedly found in Hawkins' system, and said that forensics were "shocked" by the size of the rocker's "enlarged heart".
Colombian publication Semana reported that the size of Hawkins' heart - at over 600 grams, around twice the weight of a typical adult male's heart - played a part in his passing with a "cocktail of narcotics" in his system.
The Sun reports that The Secretariat of Health issued a statement confirming the drummer had sparked a medical emergency after suffering "chest pains" in a Colombian hotel room.
The statement read: "The city's Emergency Regulation Centre received an alert about a patient with chest pain in a hotel located in the north of the city."
Authorities also revealed that an ambulance was called to the scene and a health professional unsuccessfully attempted to revive Hawkins, who was pronounced dead.
"The District Secretariat of Health regrets the death of this talented and world-famous drummer and sends a message of condolences to his family, bandmates and fans."
It comes as heartbreaking new photos show mourning fans gathered outside Hawkins' hotel, with police and members of the Technical Investigation Team seen transporting his body from the scene.
Earlier, Colombian Police issued a statement about what they believe killed Hawkins, speculating that drugs may have been involved.
"The cause of death has yet to be established," the statement, carried in a number of Colombian newspapers, read.
"According to those close to him, the death could be related to the consumption of drugs."
The Foo Fighters released a statement yesterday confirming Hawkins' death.
"The Foo Fighters family is devastated by the tragic and untimely loss of our beloved Taylor Hawkins. His musical spirit and infectious laughter will live on with all of us forever," the US rock group said in a post on Twitter.
"Our hearts go out to his wife, children and family, and we ask that their privacy be treated with the utmost respect in this unimaginably difficult time."
The band are currently on tour in South America and were preparing to perform at Festival Estereo Picnic in Bogota, Colombia.
Taylor Hawkins performs onstage on February 16, 2022. Photo / Getty Images
Overnight, Bogota's District Department of Heath said in a press release an ambulance was sent to the hotel where Hawkins was staying in response to reports of "a patient with chest pains".
Paramedics attempted CPR but "there was no response, and the patient was declared deceased", the Spanish-language press release said, according to Deadline.
Colombian media reports Hawkins was staying at Bogota's Casa Medina hotel when he died.
Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Hawkins relocated to Southern California with his family as a child and first rose to prominence as the touring drummer for Alanis Morissette. He joined the Foo Fighters in 1997.
As news of Hawkins' death spread, numerous musicians, celebrities and fans took to social media to pay tribute to the late drummer.
"In utter disbelief at the news of Taylor Hawkins," rock band Nickelback wrote on Twitter.
"Our deepest condolences to his family, his bandmates, his team, his friends and everyone that was ever touched by the music he created with @foofighters @Alanis and so many others. This is so incredibly sad."
God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I loved your spirit and your unstoppable rock power. Rest In Peace my friend. pic.twitter.com/AkiRLF2L3e
Sharing a photo of himself and Hawkins alongside Jane's Addiction's Perry Farrell, Rage Against the Machine frontman Tom Morello tweeted: "God bless you Taylor Hawkins. I love your spirit and your unstoppable power. Rest In Peace my friend."
"So very very sorry to hear of the passing of our friend Taylor Hawkins," Canadian musician Todd "Dammit" Kerns wrote.
"Honestly no words. Big love brother Taylor. Thinking of his family and the guys in his band. Absolutely heartbreaking."
Ozzy Osbourne described Hawkins as "truly a great person and an amazing musician".
"My heart, my love and my condolences go out to his wife, his children, his family, his band and his fans. See you on the other side β Ozzy," Osbourne said.
