‘American Idol’ Alum Doug Kiker’s Cause of Death Revealed

Last month, American Idol alum Doug Kiker died. The season 18 standout, dubbed “The Singing Garbage Man,” was a favorite among fans. In the years since being on the show, he was reportedly working on new music and performing live. However, his promising career was cut short on March 12 when he died. Now, more than a month later, the Denver, Colorado Medical Examiner has released his cause of death.

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According to TMZ, Kiker died from an accidental opioid overdose. A cocktail of m*thadone, f*ntanyl, amphetamines, and trace amounts of c*caine contributed to his untimely death. This development won’t come as a surprise to those familiar with the events surrounding Kiker’s passing. A concerned citizen called 911 and reported they feared he was experiencing an overdose.

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Paramedics rushed “The Singing Garbage Man” to a local hospital to treat the symptoms. Unfortunately, he died five days later.

Doug Kiker Left a Lasting Impression on the American Idol Audience

Doug Kiker didn’t have prior performance experience before coming to American Idol. “I’m a garbage man. I work on the back of a garbage truck,” he revealed before blowing the judges away during his audition. Katy Perry was especially stricken by his rendition of “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts. He left the pop superstar in tears.

“That was not garbage,” she told him through tears. “It was greatness,” she told him.

The judges unanimously sent Kiker to the Hollywood Round with high hopes for his future on the show. “For a man who has no idea what his voice can do, for a man who has no idea what key he’s singing in, for a man who has no idea who the heck he can be, he’s here to do one thing,” Lionel Richie said. “He’s trying to show his daughter that he’s somebody.”

While he didn’t make it past the Hollywood Round, Kiker returned to perform during the Finale episode, where he performed to what was likely his largest audience.

Featured Image by Eliza Morse/ABC via Getty Images