Avenged Sevenfold Drummer James Sullivan's Autopsy Inconclusive

Posted on Dec 30th 2009 1:00PM by Chris Harris Comments
Avenged Sevenfold Drummer James 'The Rev' Sullivan The results of an autopsy performed Dec. 29 on the remains of Avenged Sevenfold drummer James 'The Rev' Sullivan were deemed inconclusive, and the Orange County coroner's office has ordered additional testing on the body, with hopes that the results will provide a more decisive picture of just what claimed the 28-year-old's life earlier this week. However, it could be several weeks before those test results are returned.

The coroner's office has ordered "toxicology, microscopic and laboratory tests" on Sullivan's body, which will help them determine what took his life so suddenly on Monday, says coroner's office spokesperson Jim Amormino. Sullivan was found unresponsive in the Huntington Beach home he lived in with his wife, Leana MacFadden, a former nude internet model who went by the name Teen Topanga.

While investigators have maintained it appears Sullivan died of natural causes, only the coroner's office can make an official determination as to the cause of death. Police do not suspect foul play.

According to Larry Jacobson, Avenged Sevenfold's manager, Sullivan was an especially warm and friendly person who had "an easy smile and a laugh, and he was as smart as they come. You could sit and talk to him about anything."

The last time Jacobson saw Sullivan was a few days ago, at a friend's wedding reception. He seemed to be in good health and good spirits, and spoke with Jacobson about his recent Lasik eye surgery and the new car he'd just bought. When Sullivan's loved ones gathered Monday night to share memories of the drummer, the manager says the "mood ranged from deep and somber to smiles and laughs as they began to reminisce about the experiences everybody had with him. He was a loving son and a loving brother -- like no one you'd ever seen, and talented beyond people's perception."

Sullivan, Jacobson says, was the kind of chap who wouldn't mince words. "He was expressive. He'd tell you how he felt about you -- you didn't wonder, because he'd put his arm around you," the manager recalled. "He knew how to tell his friends he loved them."

In their own statement issued Monday evening, Avenged Sevenfold called Sullivan "not only one of the world's best drummers, but more importantly, he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy's family and we hope you will respect their privacy during this difficult time."

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4 Comments

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Heys!!! :D

Dude he was way to young and way to cool to die. He may have been one of the best drummers ever and now he's gone :( It's not of natural causes I know it. You can't die of natural causes at 28. Rock on and Fly high foever Rev, we all love you and we all miss you, hope there's lotsa booze up there x]

December 30 2009 at 10:02 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mcrforeverr

this cant be a natural cause.........

December 30 2009 at 3:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to mcrforeverr's comment
Heys!!! :D

It can't be natural causes, hes too young to die of natural causes.

December 30 2009 at 10:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ara

This wonderful man was the reason I became a drummer. I saw them live and I literally tuned out the rest of the music. As much as I love Avenged Sevenfold, I love the drumming more. I swore that one day, I'd drum like him. I'm still working on that. James Sullivan... we love you. My heart goes out to M. Shadows, Zacky Vengeace, Johnny Christ, and Syn Gates. Also to his wife Leana. I love you Rev.. You're always in our hearts.

December 30 2009 at 3:30 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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