Blake Garrett autopsy describes sober house scene before fentanyl ruling
TMZ says Blake Garrett's autopsy details items found near his bed after the actor died in Tulsa from acute fentanyl toxicity.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
The Blake Garrett autopsy report describes the former child actor being found unresponsive beside his bed at a sober living house in Tulsa, with rolled dollar bills, a lighter and foil with burned residue nearby, according to TMZ.
Garrett, best known for playing Plug in the 2006 comedy “How to Eat Fried Worms,” died in February. He was 33.
TMZ reported it obtained Garrett’s full autopsy report, which adds new detail to the scene where he was found. The Oklahoma Medical Examiner had already determined that Garrett died from acute fentanyl toxicity and classified the death as accidental, according to the outlet.
What did Blake Garrett's autopsy say?
The autopsy report said Garrett was found at a Tulsa residence used as a sober living house, TMZ reported. Near him were rolled dollar bills, a lighter and foil that had burned residue on it, according to the report as described by the outlet.
The medical findings also included diffuse swelling in Garrett’s brain, TMZ reported. Alcohol testing came back negative, according to the autopsy report cited by the outlet.
The report also noted that Garrett had shingles without complications, with lesions at different stages of healing, TMZ said. Shingles is a painful viral rash caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox, and it can leave some patients dealing with significant nerve pain.
What did his mother say about his health?
Garrett’s mother, Carol, previously told TMZ that her son had recently been diagnosed with shingles. She said she believed he may have accidentally overdosed while trying to control the pain after three years of sobriety, according to the outlet.
The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s accidental death ruling is consistent with that concern, though the report cited by TMZ lists the medical cause as acute fentanyl toxicity.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that can be fatal in small amounts, especially when a person does not know it is present or has reduced tolerance after a period of sobriety. The autopsy details reported by TMZ do not state how Garrett obtained or used the drug.
Who was Blake Garrett?
Garrett was part of the young cast of “How to Eat Fried Worms,” the family comedy released in 2006. He played Plug in the movie.
TMZ reported that Garrett and the film’s young ensemble received a Young Artist Award for their work. His death adds a grim final chapter to a career most widely remembered from that childhood role.
No additional public statement from Garrett’s family was included in TMZ’s latest report on the autopsy.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.