Rapper Coolio, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr., died on Wednesday. According to a new report, EMTs worked tirelessly to revive him, but after 45 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), they pronounced him dead at the scene.
Entertainment website TMZ broke the story of the rapper’s death at the age of 59, noting that he had been at a friend’s house when he got up to use the bathroom and never came back. After some time had passed, the friend went to check on him and got no answer when he called through the door. When he entered the bathroom, he found Coolio unresponsive on the floor.
EMTs arrived a short time later, and despite seeing no signs of life upon arrival, they attempted to revive him and performed CPR for nearly an hour before declaring him dead at the scene.
Coolio’s manager informed TMZ that he had traveled to Los Angeles from his home in Las Vegas in order to either get or renew his passport — he was scheduled to perform shows in Germany this coming weekend.
According to subsequent reports, no drugs or drug paraphernalia were found with Coolio at the scene — but officials stated that a death investigation had been opened to determine what exactly occurred. No foul play was suspected based on what officials saw at the scene, but authorities explained that a full autopsy and toxicology report would be needed to determine the cause of death with any certainty.
Early reports suggested that the rapper may have suffered a cardiac arrest, but those reports have not yet been confirmed.
“We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend and client, Coolio, who passed away this afternoon,” Coolio’s talent manager, Sheila Finegan, said in a statement to The Los Angeles Times. “He touched the world with the gift of his talent and will be missed profoundly … Thank you to everyone worldwide who has listened to his music and to everyone who has been reaching out regarding his passing. Please have Coolio’s loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.”
Ryan Saavedra contributed to this report.