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Autopsy finds cocaine, heroin contributed to Brandon Clarke’s death

By Thomson Reuters Aug 24, 2026 | 9:55 PM

By Field Level Media

Aug 25 (Field Level Media) – Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke had heroin, cocaine, morphine andmultiple prescription drugs ​in his system when he died, ‌according to theautopsy results released by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner on Monday.

His death was ruled an accident. The effects of heroin and cocaine were ‌ruledto ​be the cause of ⁠death, with the “combined effects ⁠of multiple prescriptionmedications” listed as “other significant conditions.”

On May 11, Clarke, 29, was discovered unresponsive in a bedroom at a residencein the San ​Fernando Valley and was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

First responders on ⁠the scene where Clarke was ⁠found reported they sawcannabis products, ​vape devices, syringes, Narcan and an unidentified “powderywhite substance.”

The ​autopsy release came more than two weeks ‌after a preliminary announcementfrom the medical examiner included largely the same information.

Clarke played his full seven-year NBA career with the Grizzlies after ⁠playingcollege ball for San Jose State and Gonzaga. Over 309 games (50 starts), heaveraged 10.2 points and 5.5 ⁠rebounds, and ‌he wound up fourth in Rookie ⁠of theYear voting in 2019-20.

Last season, ​he ‌appeared in just two games ​for Memphis, ⁠both starts inDecember, and he averaged four points and three rebounds. He missed thebeginning of the season following a knee operation and the end of the campaignbecause of a calf injury.

(–Field ​Level Media)