Artist’s death ruled accidental

The Aug. 1 death of Los Angeles artist Jason Rhoades, 41, was caused by accidental drug intoxication and heart disease, according to the Los Angeles County coroner’s office.

That determination was made by a Sept. 8 autopsy received by the coroner’s office earlier this week. The department’s Capt. Ed Winter said Friday that his office had not yet received a list of medications that contributed to the artists’ death but that the autopsy indicated it was “not a suicide.” Winter said Rhoades was also suffering from atherosclerotic coronary heart disease.

At the time of the death, the coroner’s office had said the cause was unknown pending the autopsy.

-- Diane Haithman