Stars, Drugs and Death

Corey Haim, a 1980s teen heartthrob known for his roles in "Lucas" and "The Lost Boys" whose career was blighted by drug abuse, died Wednesday March 10, 2010, at the age of 38. The official cause of death was died from pneumonia complicated by an enlarged heart, bad lungs and narrowed blood vessels, while drugs found in his system played no role in his death.

Photos: Corey Haim
Actor Corey Haim Dies at 38

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson died on June 25, 2009, at the age of 50, after his personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, administered the anesthetic propofol and two other sedatives to get the chronic insomniac to sleep, according to court documents. The coroner's office announced that Jackson's death was a homicide caused by "acute propofol intoxication," with the other sedatives listed as a contributing factor.

Photos: Mourning Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson Autopsy Report

Brittany Murphy

Brittany Murphy died after collapsing in her home on Dec. 20, 2009. She was 32. The primary cause of death was pneumonia, with contributing factors of iron deficiency anemia and "multiple drug intoxication," according to the Los Angeles County coroner's office.

Photos: Brittany Murphy
Coroner: Meds Made Murphy Vulnerable

DJ AM

Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein was found dead on Aug. 28, 2009, after friends, unable to reach him for a few days, became concerned and called police. He was 36. A crack pipe, a bag of crack cocaine and prescription drugs were found in his apartment, according to reports. The medical examiner said Goldstein died from an accidental overdose due to the combined effects of cocaine, Oxycodone, Vicodin, Ativan, Klonopin, Xanax, Benadryl and Levamisole, a drug used to cut cocaine.

Photos: DJ AM
DJ AM's Death Ruled Accidental Overdose

Brad Renfro

Actor Brad Renfro was found dead on Jan. 15, 2008, at the age of 25. The Los Angeles County Coroner's office ruled that his death was accidental, attributing it to acute heroin/morphine intoxication.

Actor Brad Renfro Found Dead At Age 25

Heath Ledger

On Jan. 22, 2008, Heath Ledger was found unconscious in his New York apartment. Paramedics were unable to revive him and he was pronounced dead. He was 28. The medical examiner's office said he died of an accidental overdose of painkillers, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medication and other prescription drugs. The cause of death was "acute intoxication by the combined effects of oxycodone, hydrocodone, diazepam, temazepam, alprazolam and doxylamine," according to a statement.

Photos: Heath Ledger
Timeline: Ledger's Life and Death

Anna Nicole Smith

Anna Nicole Smith died after being found unconscious in a Florida hotel room on Feb. 8, 2007. She was 39. Broward County Medical Examiner Joshua Perper said Smith died of "combined drug intoxication" with the sleeping medication chloral hydrate as the major factor. Smith was taking a lengthy list of other medications, including methadone for pain, he said.

Photos: Anna Nicole Smith
Anna Nicole Died of Accidental Overdose

Dana Plato

Former "Diff'rent Strokes" actress Dana Plato was found dead on May 8, 1999, at the age of 35. The cause of death was an overdose of Vanadom and Vicodin. Her death was eventually ruled a suicide.

Chris Farley

Chris Farley was found dead on Dec. 18, 1997, at the age of 33. An autopsy later revealed that he had died of died of an overdose of cocaine and morphine. A significant contributing factor, the medical examiner said, was a narrowing of the arteries supplying the heart muscle.

River Phoenix

River Phoenix died on Oct. 31, 1993, after collapsing outside the Viper Room nightclub in Hollywood. He was 23. An autopsy reportedly showed lethal levels of cocaine, morphine, Valium, marijuana and ephedrine in his body. The official cause of death was drug-induced heart failure.

When Movie Stars Die Too Young

John Belushi

John Belushi was found dead on March 5, 1982, at the age of 33. The cause of death was a combined injection of cocaine and heroin. Rock singer Cathy Evelyn Smith, who admitted giving Belushi the drugs, served 15 months in prison.

Photos: John Belushi

Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin is was found dead in her room at the Landmark Hotel in Hollywood, Calif., on Oct. 4, 1970. She was 27. The official cause was an accidental heroin overdose.

Jim Morrison

Jim Morrison died on July 3, 1971, in Paris. He was 27. No autopsy was ever performed, as no foul play was suspected, but rumors have long suggested that Morrison died of an overdose.

Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe was found dead on Aug. 5, 1962. She was 36. The Los Angeles County Coroners office recorded cause of death as "acute barbiturate poisoning," resulting from a "probable suicide."

Photos: Marilyn Monroe
Video: "48 Hours" on Marilyn Monroe

Judy Garland

Judy Garland was found dead in London on June 22, 1969, at the age of 47. The coroner stated that the cause of death was "an incautious self-overdosage" of barbiturates. Her death certificate stated that her death had been accidental.

A Harmonious Homage for Judy Garland