Pimp C (Chad Butler) died from a combination of prescription cough syrup (promethazine with codeine) and a pre‑existing sleep apnea condition, and his death was ruled an accident by the Los Angeles County coroner. He was found unresponsive in his hotel room in West Hollywood on December 4, 2007, at age 33.

Medical cause

The coroner reported that the immediate cause of death was the effect of promethazine/codeine in his system along with other undetermined factors. His history of sleep apnea meant he was already prone to pauses in breathing during sleep, and the cough syrup further suppressed his breathing until it stopped.

Classification of death

Officials classified his death as accidental rather than intentional or homicide. Reports emphasized that while the medication levels were elevated, they were not classified as a massive overdose on their own, but became fatal in combination with his sleep apnea.