Shatner Death Ruled Accidental
Alcohol and the sedative Valium were key contributors in the drowning of William Shatner's wife, according to autopsy findings released Tuesday.
The death of Nerine Shatner on Aug. 8 has been ruled accidental with the official cause being "drowning associated with neck trauma," said coroner's spokesman Scott Carrier. Major contributing factors were the presence of alcohol and Valium in her body, the report said.
Autopsy findings indicate Shatner suffered a broken neck when she dove or fell into the pool as a result of being intoxicated. Her blood-alcohol level was 0.28-percent, more than three times the legal limit for a DWI conviction in California.
Shatner, 40, was alone at the couple's Studio City estate when she drowned and police had said there was no evidence of foul play.
Mr. Shatner, star of the television hit Star Trek and former host of Rescue 911, came home the night of Aug. 8 to find his wife's body at the bottom of their pool. He dove in and pulled her from the water, but was unable to resuscitate her.
The Shatners had been married two years and she was the actor's third wife. He filed for divorce in 1998, but they later reconciled.
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