Art Bell Died of Accidental Drug Overdose, Says Coroner's Report
Art Bell.
Art Bell's death earlier this year was found to be caused by an overdose of prescription drugs, according to a report released by the Clark County coroner on Wednesday.
The report listed Oxycodone, Hydrocodone, Diazepam, and Carisoprodol in Bell's system at the time of death, and added that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and hypertension likely contributed to his passing. Bell's death was ruled accidental.
Some in the paranormal community have taken this opportunity to discuss societal issues surrounding prescription drugs.
Journalist George Knapp recently tweeted about the issue.
"Art Bell suffered with back pain for years," Knapp said. "Yes, there are risks with any medication, but the meds he took allowed him to enjoy a somewhat normal life. Less than .01% of pain prescriptions end in OD. Millions of legit patients now live in agony because of the great crackdown."
Art Bell suffered with back pain for years. Yes, there are risks with any medication, but the meds he took allowed him to enjoy a somewhat normal life. Less than .01% of pain prescriptions end in OD. Millions of legit patients now live in agony because of the great crackdown.
— George Knapp (@g_knapp) August 2, 2018
Art Bell, founder and original host of Coast to Coast AM, Dreamland, and Midnight in the Desert, passed away at his home in Pahrump, Nevada last April on Friday the 13th, according to the Nye County Sheriff's office.
Bell was an extremely influential member of paranormal media, with Coast to Coast AM having been syndicated on over 500 stations and reaching over 20 million listeners at the height of his success as the show's host. Coast to Coast AM, currently hosted by Bell's successor George Noory, is a call-in radio show that features interviews with authors and media personalities on a variety of paranormal topics.
The popular radio host retired several times between the late nineties and early aughts, citing safety concerns and family issues, but officially retired from Coast to Coast AM in 2007 to spend more time with his family. He would appear as a guest host on the show into 2010. In 2015 Bell began hosting Midnight in the Desert, but retired after only five months, once again citing safety concerns after claiming his house had been shot at by armed trespassers. Midnight in the Desert continues with host Dave Schrader.
He was 72.