The singer and actor was found dead in his Rochester, Minnesota apartment on August 11. An autopsy performed by the Southern Minnesota District Medical Examiner’s Office found “toxic effects of chloroethane” as well as “asphyxiation” as contributing factors. His death was also ruled an accident by the medical examiner. Chloroethane, also known as ethyl chloride, is used as a local anesthetic for injections and minor surgery, as well as in other pharmaceuticals, gasoline additives, plastics and paints. It has also been used as a recreational drug with short puffs that cause confusion, dizziness and incoordination. Danesh was born in Glasgow to a Scottish mother and an Iranian father. He made his first bid for fame on the ITV talent show Popstars in 2001, with a theatrical performance of Britney Spears’ Baby One More Time. A year later, he appeared on the inaugural Pop Idol, coming third behind Will Young and Gareth Gates in a final watched by more than 13 million people. After the show, Danesh turned down a record deal from judge Simon Cowell to work with producer Steve Lillywhite, who worked with him on his single Colourblind. The song reached No.1 in the UK, while his album Dive In reached the top 10. Over the next few years, Danesh released four more top 10 singles before forging a successful stage career. In 2003, he also wrote a book about his time in the music industry called Sink or Swim, which became a Sunday Times bestseller. A few years later, in 2010, he won an ITV competition called Popstar to Operastar, enjoying his first major operatic role in a new production of Carmen at London’s O2 Arena. The family statement following his death read: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Darius Campbell Danesh. Darius was found unresponsive in bed in his apartment room in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 11 and was pronounced dead that afternoon by the local medical examiner’s office. “The local police department confirmed there was no evidence of intent or suspicious circumstances. “We ask that you kindly respect our wishes for privacy at this time while we come to terms with the tragic loss of our son and brother.”
