The Proximate Cause of DJ AMs Death
Goldstein in February, 2007 - Wikipedia
When DJ AM (Adam Michael Goldstein) was a child, his father verbally abused him, which Goldstein called “unbelievably cruel.” His father abused drugs and was secretly a homosexual.
Goldstein started deejaying at 20. During his early 20s, Goldstein battled an addiction to drugs, specifically crack cocaine. At one point, he attempted suicide, but was unsuccessful when the gun did not go off. Shortly thereafter, he became sober, began attending AA meetings, and dedicated himself to working as a DJ. After getting clean, DJ AM was sober for more than 11 years and was held up as a positive example for the recovery process.
He began dating socialite Nicole Richie in 2003 and announced their engagement in February, 2005. However, the couple broke up in late 2006.
On September 19, 2008, after having performed at a college event, Goldstein was seriously injured when a Learjet in which he was traveling crashed on takeoff in Columbia, South Carolina. The crash killed both crew members and two other passengers, and critically injured Goldstein. According to reports, Goldstein suffered burns on his hands and parts of his head. He was taken to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center in Augusta, Georgia, where he was listed in critical condition. Goldstein was prescribed medication for pain and post traumatic stress after surviving the Learjet crash. He was released from the hospital on September 26, 2008.
DJ AM died on August 28, 2009. Drug paraphernalia, including a crack pipe and a bag of crack cocaine, were found in the apartment, but no signs of foul play. Reports indicate that Goldstein was found with nine OxyContin pills in his body. The New York City Medical Examiner ruled that the cause of his death was acute intoxication (accidental drug overdose).
According to TMZ, Goldstein’s estate filed a wrongful death claim against various defendants including the company that chartered the plane which was carrying DJ AM when it crashed. His estate alleges that the crash ultimately caused Goldstein’s death because he was forced to take various drugs to treat the burns he suffered in the crash as well as the emotional distress caused by the crash.
What do you think is the proximate cause of DJ AMs death?
In my recent blog on the Proximate Cause of Joaquin Rivera’s death, I defined proximate cause. You can read that blog at: