Autopsy Shows Popular Chicago DJ Died of Drug Overdose

Heroin, cocaine and alprazolam found in DJ Rashad's system at time of death

DJ Rashad, a house music icon in Chicago who passed away in April, died of a drug overdose, autopsy results have shown.

Rashad Harden, 35, was found unresponsive by a friend about 1:30 p.m. April 26 in an apartment in the 2100 block of West 21st Street, authorities said.

Rashad, of the 300 block of Park Avenue in Calumet City, was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:50 p.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office.

Toxicological tests found that Rashad died of heroin, cocaine and alprazolam intoxication, and his death was ruled an accident, according to a spokesman for the medical examiner’s office.

Police said at the time that both narcotics and drug paraphernalia were discovered near the body. There were no visible signs of injury.

Rashad performed at the Pitchfork Music Festival last year and opened for Chance The Rapper during last fall’s nationwide Social Experiment Tour.

At the time of his death, Chance the Rapper posted on Twitter: “Music lost a legend today. And he was my friend. Love you DJ Rashad. RIP.”

Copyright CHIST - SunTimes
Contact Us