Charles Johnson, a former first-round NFL draft pick who won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in 2001, died in July by suicide.

Charles Johnson : Died | Cause of death | Suicide

Johnson was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1994 NFL Draft with the 17th overall pick out of Colorado.

Charles Johnson : Died | Cause of death | Suicide

During his NFL stint he also played for the Patriots, Eagles and Bills.

He is among the top-16 wide receivers to ever play in the black and yellow uniform, retiring in 2002.

He ranks 16th all-time among Steelers receivers and also played for the Patriots, Eagles and Bills before retiring after the 2002 season.

Charles Johnson died

Charles Johnson, a former first-round NFL draft pick who won a Super Bowl with the New England Patriots in 2001, died in July by suicide after an apparent drug overdose, according to a report from the North Carolina’s medical examiner’s office.

Johnson was found dead in a hotel room near his home in Raleigh on July 17 and was determined to have “acute oxycodone, hydrocodone and mirtazapine toxicity” when he died, according to USA Today.

Charles Johnson : Died | Cause of death | Suicide

Officials said Johnson had no reported medical history nor was he prescribed anything at the time.

The medical examiner’s report on Charles Johnson’s death also stated that the week prior to his death, his conduct was erratic.

“In the previous week, he had been acting strange and had recently purchased a funeral and cremation service,” is reported by USA TODAY Sports.

Johnson was found lying on the bed unresponsive, prompting him being declared dead at the scene.

He paid for the room two days earlier and took a trip home, but when he came back to the hotel he left behind his wallet, cell phone, keys and vehicle.

Cause of death 

The death of Charles Johnson, a former Pittsburgh Steeler and New England Patriot who died in July, aged 50, has been ruled a suicide, according to a report from the North Carolina state medical examiner.

Johnson, who ultimately won a Super Bowl while with the Patriots, overdosed on drugs according to the state medical examiner’s office in North Carolina, via USA Today.

Charles Johnson : Died | Cause of death | Suicide

He was found dead in a hotel room near his home in Raleigh, North Carolina on July 17, 2022 after his wife reported the 50-year-old missing a day prior. 

Per the report, Johnson had ‘acute oxycodone, hydrocodone and mirtazapine toxicity,’ and had been acting rather peculiarly leading up to his death; purchasing a ‘funeral and cremation service.’

Raleigh police officers found him unresponsive on a welfare check after he had not checked out of the room at Hampton Inn. Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Charles Johnson suicide 

North Carolina’s medical examiner’s office on Monday released its report regarding Johnson’s death, which they ruled was a suicide.

The report said that Johnson died from a drug overdose that they believe was intentional. Johnson had “acute oxycodone, hydrocodone and mirtazapine toxicity” in his system at the time of his death on July 17, 2022.

Charles Johnson : Died | Cause of death | Suicide

Johnson was found dead at a hotel room in Raleigh, N.C. on July 17, a day after his wife had reported him missing. He had checked in to a hotel room about 6.5 miles from his home on July 15.

His wife reported him missing on July 16. He was found dead in the room during a wellness check by police when he did not check out of the hotel on July 17. Johnson was 50 years old.

According to the report, in the previous week, Johnson “had been acting strange and had recently purchased a funeral and cremation service.”

After purchasing the hotel room on July 15, Johnson returned to his home and left behind his wallet, keys, cell phone and vehicle before returning to the hotel room.

By Rishabh

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