New Details Emerge About Brandon Clarke’s Death

New details from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s full autopsy report have shed more light on the death of former Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke, who was found unresponsive at a San Fernando Valley residence on May 11, 2026. He was 29.

Medical Examiner Reveals Cause of Death

According to the medical examiner, Clarke’s death was caused by the effects of heroin and cocaine. The report listed the combined effects of multiple prescription medications as contributing factors.

The manner of death was classified as an accident.

The autopsy also detected substances including oxycodone, alprazolam, pregabalin, carisoprodol and other medications, as well as mitragynine, a compound associated with kratom. Some of the prescription substances were reported to be within therapeutic levels, but their combined effects were still listed as significant contributing factors.

What Was Found at the Residence?

Investigators reported finding several items in and around Clarke’s bedroom and bathroom, including:

• Vape devices
• Cannabis products
• Prescription medications
• Injectable peptides
• Syringes
• A box of Narcan
• Medication blister packs
• Vitamins and other medical items

A plate containing an unidentified white powdery substance was also reportedly found on the kitchen counter.

The presence of these items does not by itself establish how every substance was used or whether it contributed to Clarke’s death. The medical examiner’s determination specifically identified heroin and cocaine as the cause.

Roommate Discovered Clarke

According to the autopsy report, Clarke’s roommate had last seen him alive around midnight.

Later on May 11, Clarke’s agent reportedly contacted the roommate after being unable to reach him. The roommate then went to Clarke’s bedroom and found him unresponsive.

Emergency responders were called, and Clarke was pronounced dead at the scene shortly afterward.

The investigation reportedly found no apparent signs of foul play or fatal injuries.

Earlier Arrest Had Raised Concerns

The new findings come several weeks after Clarke was arrested in Arkansas following a traffic incident.

According to reporting on the arrest, authorities found a substantial quantity of kratom in his vehicle. Clarke had reportedly been driving at more than 100 mph before being stopped.

Kratom was also detected during the later medical examination, although the official cause of death was attributed to heroin and cocaine, with multiple prescription medications listed as contributing factors.

A Seven-Year NBA Career in Memphis

Clarke spent his entire seven-year NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies after being selected in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft.

The Grizzlies expressed their heartbreak following his death and remembered him not only as a valued teammate but also for his contributions to the Memphis community.

The Bottom Line

The full medical examiner’s report has now provided a clearer explanation of what happened to Brandon Clarke.

The official finding is that the effects of heroin and cocaine caused his death, while the combined effects of multiple prescription medications contributed to it. His death was classified as accidental, and investigators found no apparent evidence of foul play.

This article reports findings from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner and does not imply that every substance found at the residence contributed to Clarke’s death.