The Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed that former Pop Idol contestant Darius Campbell Danesh passed away from “inhalation of chloroethane.”
The 41-year-old Scottish actor was discovered dead in his Rochester, Minnesota, residence last month. His death was attributed to “toxic effects of chloroethane” and “suffocation,” according to autopsy records obtained by the PA news agency.
Ethyl chloride, also referred to as chloroethane, is a colourless, flammable gas or chilled liquid with a faintly pleasant smell. It is employed in the manufacturing of ethyl cellulose, dyes, pharmaceuticals, and other industrial compounds as well as a refrigerant, solvent, and other functions.
The medical examiner determined that the death was an accident. Campbell Danesh’s family had issued a statement claiming that local police had found “no signs of purpose or unusual circumstances.”
Ethyl chloride, also referred to as chloroethane, is a colourless, flammable gas or chilled liquid with a faintly pleasant smell. It is a potent alkylating agent utilised in a variety of products, including polymers, dyes, topical anaesthetics, medicines, and industrial refrigerants.
The singer-songwriter and actor, formerly known as Darius Danesh, also participated in the inaugural season of Pop Idol, which was won by Will Young. In 2001, he made his first attempt at success on the ITV programme Popstars. After winning Pop Idol, Campbell Danesh declined Simon Cowell’s offer of a record deal and instead signed with the Rolling Stones and U2 producer Steve Lillywhite.
After learning of the singer’s passing, fellow Pop Idol finalists Will Young and Gareth Gates paid him homage, calling him “motivated, courageous, and gentle.” Young, 43, said in a moving tribute that she had been thinking of Darius’ family for the previous few days and would continue to do so.
“I recently discovered this image from Pop Idol. Darius is the best illustration of never giving up on your aspirations that there is. determined, brave, and kind. At this moment, my heart goes out to his family.
During their time on the show, Gates claimed that Campbell Danesh had taken him “under his wing” and had been “like a big brother, constantly looking out for me.”
I’ll miss our conversations. He had a soul that brightened up every room, and one of the most attractive, wise, and kind people I have had the pleasure of knowing.
Along with Gerard Butler, music mogul Cowell also paid tribute to the artist. Prior to the singer’s passing, the two were spotted together in Malibu. They were close friends.
Butler described Campbell Danesh as having a “almost containable enthusiasm for life” and the “heart of a lion” in his own homage to him.
He noted that those who were fortunate enough to spend more than a few minutes with Darius were profoundly impacted by his contagious laugh and uncontrollable zeal for life. Few people could resist his genuine warmth and booming voice, nor would they want to! He was always prepared with a smile and a hug.
He was an actor with enormous presence, a singer whose voice penetrated your soul, and an incredible talent. Most importantly, though, was that he had a lion’s heart. He could instantly light up a room with energy that was more powerful and brighter than the sun.
The 52-year-old Butler, who is best known for the movies 300, Law Abiding Citizen, Olympus Has Fallen, and its sequels, also said that his friend was motivated by the desire to “inspire people to better themselves.”
Colorblind, Campbell Danesh’s debut single, was released in July 2002 and immediately reached the top spot, ushering in a string of top 10 singles. The song returned to the charts after his passing, and a few days later it topped the iTunes download list.
Campbell Danesh was “discovered unconscious in bed in his apartment room in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 11 and was pronounced dead in the afternoon by the local medical examiners’ office,” according to a statement from his family.
