Autopsy finds Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson died of fentanyl, cocaine

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jaylon Ferguson died last week from the combined effects of fentanyl and cocaine, medical examiners have determined, and his death has been ruled an accident.

The determination was made after an autopsy on the body of the 26-year-old Ferguson, a spokesman for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner said Friday.

Ferguson’s agent, Safarrah Lawson, declined to comment Friday.

Police had called Ferguson’s death “questionable” and said officers found no signs of foul play or trauma to his body. Baltimore Police continue to investigate his death, a department spokeswoman said Friday.

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The autopsy results come a day before Ferguson’s friends and family are to celebrate his life in Louisiana.

“Our priority is focused on the man Jaylon was and the positive impact he made on so many as a father, son, fiancé, friend and teammate. It would be inappropriate for us to comment further while we continue to support his family and teammates, who are mourning the tragic loss of a loved one and will celebrate his life tomorrow,” the Baltimore Ravens said in a statement.

Baltimore Police were called around 11:30 p.m. on June 21 to the 400 block of Ilchester Avenue in North Baltimore, where they found Ferguson.

A friend who found Ferguson unresponsive told police at the scene that Ferguson had told him earlier in the night that he was “xanied up,” referring to the prescription drug Xanax, according to a law enforcement source. Xanax is the brand name of the drug alprazolam, which is used to treat panic disorders and anxiety.

Ferguson had been going through a difficult time after the recent death of his grandmother and a fire at his home in Owings Mills, and was suffering from depression, the friend told police.

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Ferguson’s family started an online fundraiser for his three children and wrote of the fire.

“To give you insight on the type of father he was he desperately tried to put out the fire in order to save his children’s possessions to the point where his own toes were burned in the process,” according to the fundraiser page.

Condolences poured in from Ravens players after Ferguson’s death and his fiancée Doni Smith posted on Instagram photos of Ferguson and their three children.

“Jaylon was a loving father, son, brother, fiancée and an exception athlete. His kindness, big heart and infectious personality will be missed by so many, but his legacy will continue,” his family wrote on Instagram.

The Baltimore Ravens issued a statement after Ferguson’s death.

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“We are profoundly saddened by the tragic passing of Jaylon Ferguson,” the statement read. “He was a kind, respectful young man with a big smile and infectious personality. We express our heartfelt condolences to Jaylon’s family and friends as we mourn a life lost much too soon.”

A viewing and celebration of his life have been scheduled for Saturday at the Magnolia Full Gospel Baptist Church in Louisiana.

tim.prudente@thebaltimorebanner.com

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Tim Prudente

tim.prudente@thebaltimorebanner.com