Coroner: Randy "Macho Man" Savage Died of Natural Causes, Medication Levels Were "Therapeutic"

Cardiovascular disease killed the wrestler, who may not have known he had a heart condition

By Natalie Finn Jun 30, 2011 9:30 PMTags
Randy Savage, Macho ManRussell Turiak/Getty Images

Randy Savage was suffering from an enlarged heart at the time of his fatal car wreck, which authorities believe occurred when the wrestling legend suffered a cardiac episode behind the wheel.

The accident is still technically under investigation, but the Pinellas-Pasco Medical Examiner's Office has ruled that Macho Man's death was natural, or, more specifically, caused by artherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (aka coronary artery disease), according to a report released by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

And, of course, pathologists performed a tox screen...

Toxicology tests revealed traces of caffeine, acetaminophen (pain and fever reducer), dihydrocodeine and hydrocodone (found in cough syrup) and doxylamine (found in sleep aids). The hydrocodone was prescribed and the levels were deemed "therapeutic," rather than an indicator of abuse.

Authorities had already ruled out alcohol as a factor in the crash and, sure enough, his blood-alcohol level was .031, far below the legal limit.

There was no evidence that he was taking any medication for a heart condition, meaning he may not have known he was sick.

The crash itself caused only minor cuts and bruises, according to the report.

Per the Florida Highway Patrol, the coroner's report will become a part of the complete FHP Traffic Homicide report when it's released within the next few weeks.

Savage (born Randy Poffo) was killed May 20 in Seminole when he lost control of his Jeep Wrangler, which hit a concrete median, flipped into oncoming traffic and eventually skidded into a tree.

His wife, Lynn, was riding in the car and sustained minor injuries.