Late Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke had cocaine, heroin, oxycodone and multiple other prescription medications “within therapeutic levels” in his system at the time of his death, according to an autopsy report released by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner on Monday, Aug. 24.
The full autopsy, obtained by USA TODAY Sports, attributes Clarke’s cause of death to effects of heroin and cocaine with the combined effects of the other prescription medicines in his system listed as contributing factors. The medical examiner classified Clarke’s death as an accident, confirming an earlier statement from Aug. 7.
Kratom was also found in Clarke’s system.
Just six weeks before his death on May 11, Clarke, 29, allegedly led Cross County Sheriff’s Office deputies on a miles-long chase on April 1, with speeds reaching more than 100 mph, and was found with more than 230 grams of kratom in his possession, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by The Memphis Commercial Appeal, part of the USA TODAY Network.
Also found in Clarke’s bedroom and attached bathroom were “vape devices, cannabis products, prescription medications, injectable peptides, syringes, a box of Narcan, blister packets of medications, vitamins and other medical evidence.”
A plate with an “unknown powdery white substance” and hotel keycard were found in the kitchen, according to the synopsis.
Clarke’s agent allegedly reached out to his roommate at approximately 5 p.m. local time on May 11 after he had been unable to get a hold of him, per the summary. The roommate had recently returned home and went into Clarke’s bedroom, where he found the Grizzlies forward unresponsive. Clarke was pronounced dead 15 minutes later.
The roommate told the Medical Examiner that Clarke had “a history of drug use with prior stints at a rehabilitation facility” and was last seen by him alive at their Woodland Hills residence around midnight the previous night.
An investigation of his home included in the report found no evidence of foul play.
Clarke was drafted out of Gonzaga by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 21st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft and was immediately traded to the Grizzlies, where he spent all seven years of his career. At the time of his death, he was tied with Ja Morant as the team’s longest-tenured player. In October 2022, he signed a four-year, $52 million contract extension to remain in Memphis, but his career became derailed by injuries shortly after.
He tore his left Achilles tendon in March 2023, and the lengthy rehab process from that limited him to just six games in the 2023-24 season. The following year, Clarke played in 64 games until suffering a high-grade right PCL strain that ended his season and forced him to miss the beginning of 2025-26. He made his season debut in December and played two games before being shut down with a right calf injury. Clarke never appeared in an NBA game again.
Clarke’s contract was reportedly protected by a life insurance policy and his estate will receive the remaining $12.5 million owed to him in full, according to USA TODAY Sports’ Lorenzo Reyes.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brandon Clarke’s full autopsy released: What we know
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