Drugs, paraphernalia found at Ike Turner's bedside

By: TERI FIGUEROA - Staff Writer | Friday, January 18, 2008 11:31 PM PST ∞

NORTH COUNTY -- Detectives found what is suspected to be cocaine and drug paraphernalia next to the beside table of rock 'n' roll pioneer Ike Turner, who died in his San Marcos home Dec. 12, according to a medical examiner's report released Friday.

The report was released two days after the medical examiner's office confirmed that the musician died from an accidental cocaine overdose, which was exacerbated by Turner's hypertensive cardiovascular disease and pulmonary emphysema.

The report makes no mention as to who provided the drugs, or how long it had been since Turner had relapsed into drug use.

Turner had said in recent years that he cleaned up after his release from prison. After the medical examiner linked cocaine to his cause of death, Turner's daughter, Mia Turner, said her father had been fighting his drug use for the last seven or eight months.

Turner's life as a groundbreaking musician was often overshadowed by his drug addiction, a stint in prison and, primarily, allegations on film and in print that he beat up famous former wife, Tina Turner.

Turner's final hours, as witnessed by one of his former wives, are detailed in the narrative that accompanies the newly released autopsy and toxicology findings.

Ex-wife Margaret Ann Thomas told investigators that she smelled burning crack cocaine coming from Turner's room in the hours before he died.

She said she repeatedly checked on him. At one point, his band showed up to surprise him with a jam session, but remained low key in another part of the house while he slept.

About 11 a.m., his ex-wife found him "unresponsive, slumped over the bed with his feet on the floor and his torso on the bed," the report states.

Thomas began resuscitation efforts, and a number of 911 calls were placed.

The report states that sheriff's detectives found a plastic baggie containing a small hunk of an off-white colored substance that they suspected was cocaine, a small scale, a glass pipe like those used to smoke street drugs, a syringe and a foil-wrapped pipe with steel wool at one end. Also present was possible marijuana residue.

The investigation into Turner's death falls under the purview of the office of the medical examiner, as is standard when homicide detectives find no apparent evidence of foul play.

Turner had been on home oxygen but was becoming weaker, and he was easily fatigued in his final days, the report stated, and spent most days around his home resting in bed, watching TV, or working in his home recording studio.

Thomas, according to the report, told investigators that Turner had been upbeat and was not suicidal.

Turner is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. He was a pianist and bandleader who helped lay the foundation of both early rock 'n' roll and rhythm and blues.

Contact staff writer Teri Figueroa at (760) 631-6624 or tfigueroa@nctimes.com.

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