Posted by Oakland, CA – Keyshia Cole experienced a monumental loss when her biological mother Frankie Lons passed away on July 13. The 61-year-old died at her Oakland home on her birthday as her family and friends gathered for a celebration. Now, the Alameda County Coroner’s Office has officially ruled her cause of death as multiple drug intoxication.
TMZ reports the autopsy determined she’d suffered an accidental overdose, bringing her long battle with addiction to a tragic end.
While Lons had periods of sobriety, they never lasted. Cole’s brother Sam said her birthday party led to a relapse and she never bounced back. As families that wrestle with an addict know, Sam tried to keep his mother clean and would check on her daily — but it wasn’t enough.
Lons and Keyshia Cole’s biological father Virgil Hunter gave Cole up for adoption when she was young. She was raised by close family friends and ultimately reunited with her biological parents after finding success as an artist.
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It seems many artists are attempting to take a different path. Lil Durk affiliate 600Breezy was the latest rapper to admit he’d dropped the lean and prescription drugs in favor of a healthier lifestyle.
Kodak Black, Lil Xan and NLE Choppa are among those who’ve either gone to rehab to get clean or encouraged others to put the substances down.
But sadly, it was too late for Mac Miller, Juice WRLD, Digital Underground’s Shock G, DMX and Lil Peep who all died from accidental drug overdoses in recent years.
MC Serch of 3rd Bass fame and longtime music journalist Kyle eustice launched a new podcast called Breaking Anonymity on Wednesday (September 29) that addresses addiction in an attempt to inspire others to embark on a journey of recovery.
Each week, guests such as Royce Da 5’9, KXNG Crooked, Mobb Deep’s Havoc and Run-DMC legend Darryl “DMC” McDaniels will tell their story of perseverance and how they were able to overcome their demons. Find the inaugural episode featuring Jackass star Brandon Novak here.