Bennett Overdosed On Painkillers

Ex-Wilco member Jay Bennett died from an overdose of pain medicine, accoridng to Illinois officials.

Champaign County Coroner Duane Northrup announced June 23 tests show Bennett, who passed away May 24 after being discovered unresponsive in his Urbana, Ill., home, died from fentanyl – a drug used in medical patches often prescribed to treat chronic pain.

Bennett had severe pain in his right leg that had left him bedridden, and he had been trying to arrange for a total hip replacement. The musician didn’t have health insurance and was forced to raise funds for the operation by selling off some of his vintage recording gear.

He was also suing Wilco’s Jeff Tweedy, claiming he was still owed money for working on five albums as well as the 2002 documentary “I Am Trying To Break Your Heart,” which took viewers behind-the-scenes of the making of the critically acclaimed album Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Bennett was seeking $50,000 in damages.

About three weeks before his death, Bennett wrote on his blog about his constantly eroding health, saying it was even “difficult to sit at the computer for more than just a few minutes,” and was looking forward to the day he could have the hip replacement.

“The way I look at it, I’m functioning WAY below 80% right now, so what do I have to lose? Except a limp, some pain, some anxiety, and some weight. In many ways, I’m really looking forward to it, and wish I could go in tomorrow.”

Bennett’s death is being investigated as an accident.