Rapper Chris Kelly Overdosed, Says Medical Examiner

Rapper Chris Kelly died of a drug overdose, according to a new report from the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office.

Kelly, half of the hip hop duo Kris Kross, passed away in May at the age of 34. Friends of the rapper suspected that he overdosed but authorities did not declare an official cause of death until this week.

Betty Honey of the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office said that a toxicology screening revealed that Kelly had a mixture of drugs in a system when he passed away. Honey did not specify which drugs caused the rapper’s overdosed.

After Kelly’s death, the singer’s mother told authorities that her son had been using cocaine and heroin the night that he died. She also told police that her son had an “extensive history of drug use.”

Kris Kross faded from the spotlight after their massively successful “Jump,” but the duo was in the process of making a comeback when Kelly died. The duo performed during a So So Def Records anniversary and were planning a comeback tour.

Kelly’s mother said in a statement: “To millions of fans worldwide, he was the trendsetting, backwards pants-wearing one-half of Kris Kross who loved making music. But to us, he was just Chris — the kind, generous and fun-loving life of the party. Though he was only with us a short time, we feel blessed to have been able to share some incredible moments with him. His legacy will live on through his music, and we will forever love him.”