Shifty Shellshock in Corona, California in July 2023.Photo:Jerod Harris/Getty
Jerod Harris/Getty
A cause of death has been revealed for Crazy Town frontmanShifty Shellshock.
Shifty Shellshock (real name Seth Binzer) died due to the effects of fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine. The “Butterfly” singer’s death was ruled an accident.
His cause of death was certified on Sept. 24, three months after his June 24 death. He was 49.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner first shared notice of his death totheir websiteon the morning of June 25, though the cause of death was initially under investigation.
“Seth Binzer, after struggling with addiction and Crazy Town’s rapid success with ‘Butterfly,’ never was able to reach out on a more successful level to deal with his addictions,“the band’s manager Howie Hubberman told PEOPLE on June 27. “We all tried, but ultimately we all failed, or Shifty would still be here.”
“The cause of death was a combination of prescription drugs and street purchased drugs,” Hubberman continued. “Shifty was a friend and really wanted to get himself fixed — unfortunately no one had the exact tools to do this, myself included.”
Shifty Shellshock in Hollywood in October 2011.Chelsea Lauren/WireImage
Chelsea Lauren/WireImage
Over the course of his career, Binzer dealt with substance abuse — often in the public eye. The musician appeared on seasons of the VH1 showsCelebrity Rehaband spin-offSober Housein the late 2000s, which documented his addiction to cocaine as well as his attempts at recovery. While the star committed to sobriety several times, over the course of his appearances on four seasons, he relapsed several times.
In 2012, Binzer was arrested and sentenced to a three-year probation after he was found to have cocaine in his possession,according to TMZ. Shortly after, theoutlet also reportedthat Binzer had checked into a “highly regarded drug and alcohol treatment center” where he intended to “restructure his life” over the next two years.
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In a series of posts to Instagram in late April — the last made to his account before his death — the singer acknowledged his history with addiction.
“I’m a lover than a fighter …but the one I need to love more Instead of fight with is myself .. mr shifty true Love # Sober alive and grateful,”Binzer wrote in the caption of one post.
Shifty Shellshock performs in the U.K. in June 2014.Gary Wolstenholme/Redferns via Getty
Gary Wolstenholme/Redferns via Getty
“Rest Easy Seth ❤️,” he wrote.
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
source: people.com