Umaga (real name Edward “Eddie” Fatu) died from a heart attack that was brought on by acute toxicity from multiple prescription drugs, along with underlying heart disease and liver problems.

Immediate cause

Umaga was found unresponsive at home in Houston, Texas, on December 4, 2009, and was rushed to the hospital, where he suffered multiple heart attacks and was pronounced dead at age 36. Medical examiners ruled that he died of a heart attack triggered by acute toxicity from several substances in his system.

Substances and health issues

Toxicology reports showed hydrocodone (a painkiller), carisoprodol (a muscle relaxant), and diazepam (used for anxiety) in his system at the time of death. Examiners also found he had hypertensive cardiovascular disease (heart disease) and liver disease, and the combination of these conditions with the drug toxicity led to his fatal heart attack.