'8 Mile' rapper-actor Nashawn Breedlove's cause of death revealed

2025-04-20 10:07:19 source: category:Contact

Nashawn Breedlove's cause of death has been revealed.

Breedlove, who starred in "8 Mile," the 2002 film that was loosely based on Eminem's life, died at 46 in September.

The "8 Mile" actor died of acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, cocaine and ethanol, according to an autopsy report released Friday by New Jersey's Office of the Chief State Medical Examiner and obtained by USA TODAY. His death was ruled an accident.

According to medical examiner reports, Breedlove's body was found in a "decomposed" state in his one-bedroom apartment in New Jersey. An officer and landlord had to use crowbars to force open the locked door after the tenant beneath his third-floor apartment noticed a foul odor and "puddle of brown fluid" leaking from her ceiling for the second time in two days.

Known for playing freestyle rapper Lotto in the movie, Breedlove died in his home state, a spokesperson for the New Jersey Department of Health confirmed to USA TODAY on Sept. 26. HipHopDX was first to report the news.

His mother, Patricia Breedlove, announced the news of his passing in a since-deleted Facebook post on Sept. 26, writing, "It is with a heavy heart that I share the news of my beloved son Nashawn Breedlove's passing."

"Many of you knew him by his alias (Lotto and Ox), a name that echoed his resilience and determination," her post read. "Nashawn was a rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor. No one could deny his talent."

Breedlove was best known for a scene in "8 Mile" in which he and Eminem, who played the aspiring rapper B-Rabbit, compete in a rap battle. The songwriter and rapper also wrote and recorded a song in the soundtrack for DJ Pooh's 2001 film "The Wash," starring Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre.

"RIP to one of the few emcee’s to beat Eminem… Lotto from 8 Mile," rapper Mickey Factz wrote in an Instagram post on Sept. 25. "You will be missed for your tenacity and aggressiveness."

Contributing: KiMi Robinson

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