Story by Daniel Matthews
Late NBA star Brandon Clarke had an array of drugs and medications inside his home – including an unknown white powder – when he was found dead earlier this year.
That is according to reports which claim police discovered items including ‘vape devices, cannabis products, prescription medications, injectable peptides, syringes, a box of Narcan, blister packets of medications, vitamins and other medical evidence’ in his bedroom and bathroom.
The 29-year-old was found unresponsive in a San Fernando Valley home on May 11, with the Los Angeles County’s medical examiner later confirming Clarke died from an accidental overdose, specifically ‘the effects of heroin and cocaine.’
Now, TMZ and the California Post report that investigators arrived at his home to find ‘a plate containing [an] unknown white powdery substance and a hotel key card’ on the kitchen island.
‘The cause of death is attributed to effects of heroin and cocaine,’ the death investigation summary read, per the California Post. ‘Combined effects of multiple prescription medications are listed as contributory. The manner of death is classified as accident.’
A Vancouver native who starred at Gonzaga before being joining the Memphis Grizzlies in 2019, Clarke had been on a downward trend before his passing. Most notably, he was arrested in Arkansas for allegedly passing multiple vehicles at over 100mph in a no-passing zone.
Brandon Clarke had an array of drugs and medications at his home when he was found dead
The 29-year-old was found unresponsive in a San Fernando Valley home on May 11
Police in Arkansas found kratom, otherwise known as ‘gas station heroin’, on Clarke
Footage of the arrest surfaced earlier this year, showing the moment authorities found kratom in Clarke’s vehicle. Known otherwise as ‘gas station heroin,’ Kratom is illegal in Arkansas, although Clarke can be heard insisting the drug is legal in the police footage.
‘It’s just kratom, it is legal,’ he told the officer in the clip. Officers are also seen inspecting other substances packaged with names such as ‘gold rhino.’
Six weeks after that footage was recorded, Clarke was found dead in the San Fernando Valley.
According to TMZ, Clarke’s housemate went into his bedroom and found him unresponsive in his bed. After they called 911, investigators are said to have found bloody residue on Clarke’s bedsheets and pillows.
His housemate reportedly told cops that the NBA star had historically struggled with drug use and had spent time in rehab.
Clarke, who spent his entire NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies, died just four months before his 30th birthday on September 19.
‘We are heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brandon Clarke,’ the Grizzlies said at the time of his death. ‘Brandon was an outstanding teammate and an even better person whose impact on the organization and the greater Memphis community will not be forgotten.
