New details surrounding the unexpected death of Jo Mersa Marley, who passed away at the age of 31, on December 26, 2022 by the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office.
According to documents obtained by Rolling Stone, the song of reggae singer Stephen Marley’s demise was caused by an “acute asthma exacerbation” resulting from an infection with either rhinovirus or enterovirus, which typically manifest as symptoms of the common cold.
Marley was discovered “unresponsive” inside his vehicle in the parking lot of a Ross Dress for Less store. The engine was turned off, and despite attempts to revive him through CPR, he was pronounced dead.
The Medical Examiner’s Office report disclosed that Marley had a medical history involving asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Unfortunately, at the time of his death, he had not been taking his prescribed asthma medication. The report also mentioned that he had sought medical attention at a Florida hospital in March for a chest abscess, several months before his passing.
According to the report, Marley had spoken to his mother on Christmas Day, just a day prior to his death, and had informed her of feeling unwell, possibly due to his asthma. The examination of his body revealed no signs of injury, although his lungs exhibited congestion, hyperexpansion, increased mucus in the airways, “enlarged glottic tonsils,” and discoloration caused by smoking.
“The report stated, “An acute asthma exacerbation due to viral illness is a common occurrence and considered a non-allergic event.” It further emphasized the dangers of chronic smoking, whether tobacco or marijuana, for individuals with asthma.
The toxicology report unveiled the presence of THC (the active chemical in marijuana), naloxone, and 0.08% ethanol in Marley’s system at the time of his death. While naloxone is typically used to counteract opioid overdoses, it remains unclear why this drug was detected in Marley’s body.
