Kris Kross' Chris Kelly Died of Drug Overdose, Per Autopsy Results

Toxicology report shows the 34-year-old rapper had an unspecified mixture of drugs in his system when he died May 1

By Natalie Finn Jul 01, 2013 11:21 PMTags
Chris Kelly, Kris KrossPrince Williams/Getty Images

Atlanta police had their suspicions about Chris Kelly's sudden death at 34—and they were right.

The Kris Kross rapper died of a drug overdose, according to autopsy findings released today by the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office.

Kelly was found unresponsive in his Atlanta home on the night of May 1 and was pronounced dead shortly afterward at a nearby hospital. Police later said that their investigation turned up evidence that pointed to a possible drug overdose.

Coroner's investigator Betty Honey said that a toxicology screening turned up a mixture of drugs was found in Kelly's system, but she could not say which ones.

The "Jump" rapper's uncle told authorities at the time that Kelly had a history of drug abuse and his mother, Donna Kelly Pratt, said that her son had used heroin and cocaine the night before he died, per a police report obtained by E! News.

Chris Smith, the other half of Kris Kross, who was discovered along with Kelly in an Atlanta mall when they were 13, mourned the passing of the artist who was "like a brother" to him.

"Our friendship began as little boys in first grade," he said. "We grew up together. It was a blessing to achieve the success, travel the world and entertain Kris Kross fans all around the world with my best friend. It is what we wanted to do and what brought us happiness. I will always cherish the memories of the C-Connection."