A coroner’s report revealed that UFC heavyweight Shane del Rosario died of natural causes.
The fighter suffered brain damage from a lack of oxygen, an abnormal heart rhythm commonly associated with cardiac arrest, and a congenital heart condition.
Del Rosario’s immediate causes of death were listed as anoxic encephalopathy, ventricular fibrillation , and Long QT Syndrome. But a death certificate issued by the Orange County coroner’s office Wednesday also listed “other significant conditions contributing to death but not resulting in the underlying cause.”
Supervising Deputy Coroner Daniel Aikin told MMA Junkie that cocaine, opiates, and THC were present in Shane del Rosario’s system at the time of his death. Aikin said the drugs were found as part of a routine urine screen by the hospital, but the amount is unknown because an autopsy wasn’t performed.
Del Rosario spent two weeks at Hoag Memorial Presbytarian Hospital in Newport Beach following a heart attack on November 26. He was found by roommate and fellow UFC fighter Ian McCall. He was resuscitated at the hospital and put on life support.
UFC president Dana White prematurely tweeted “RIP Shane Del Rosario” on November 28, and the promotion announced his death on December 9. However, the 30-year-old was declared dead December 3, according to his death certificate.
“What we go by is when a neurologist pronounces them brain-dead, when they get a second brain-dead pronouncement,” Aikin said. “The family was not allowing the hospital to remove him from life support.”
Shane del Rosario’s manager Jason House said the fighter’s family is interested in starting a charitable foundation to research Long QT syndrome, which can affect young people and lead to sudden cardiac arrest due to ventricular fibrillation. House did not comment on the coroner’s report.
Del Rosario held the distinction of being the first American to become the WBC Muay Thai World Heavyweight Champion.
