The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner found cocaine, heroin, oxycodone, and multiple other prescription medications in late Memphis Grizzlies player Brandon Clarke’s system, a full autopsy said.
Additionally, kratom was found in his system. Clarke died on May 11, just weeks after he was arrested in Arkansas on drug charges connected to the more than 200 grams of kratom found in his car.
The cause of death, according to the autopsy, was attributed to the effects of heroin and cocaine in his system. That cause of death matched with an Aug. 8 statement from the medical examiner. The combined effects of the prescription medicines were listed as contributory factors, and the medical examiner ruled his death an accident.
The autopsy also confirmed
Clarke died in the evening hours of May 11. The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to a 911 call related to him being found unresponsive. The synopsis of the autopsy report said Clarke’s roommate told officials Clarke had “a history of drug use” and that he had previously undergone medical treatment related to drug use.
Clarke died on May 11 in Los Angeles, according to the medical examiner. He was 29 years old.
Early reports of Clarke's death said officials from the Los Angeles Fire Department went to a home in the San Fernando Valley in the late afternoon of May 11. Clarke was found at the scene and declared dead. That same report said drug paraphernalia was found at the residence and an investigation into a possible overdose was launched.
The autopsy synopsis included documentation of an investigation of the home that said there were “no apparent signs of foul play or fatal injuries.” It did, however, find drug paraphernalia inside the home including “vape devices, cannabis products, prescription medications, injectable peptides, syringes, a box of Narcan, blister packets of medications, vitamins and other medical evidence.”
A plate with an “unknown white powdery substance and a hotel keycard” was found in the kitchen, the synopsis said.
Clarke was drafted in 2019 with the No. 21 overall pick. He spent all seven seasons of his career with the Grizzlies. At the time of his passing, he was tied with Ja Morant as the longest-tenured player on the team.
Injuries limited Clarke to two games during the 2025-26 season. He missed the start of the season due to his recovery from a knee injury. In December, a calf injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season.
Brandon Clarke's arrest
Despite not playing, Clarke found himself in the headlines just over a month before his death when he was arrested in Cross County, Arkansas. He was charged with trafficking a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, fleeing in a vehicle exceeding the speed limit, and improper passing. He was released on bond the next day.
Law enforcement said Clarke was part of a miles-long chase where he reached speeds over 100 miles per hour in his Corvette. When police caught up to him, he was found with over 230 grams of kratom in his possession along with a THC vape pen.
Kratom is an herbal extract that has addictive properties, according to the Mayo Clinic, but also has been used to ease opioid withdrawal symptoms. It is legal in Tennessee for those over the age of 21, but is illegal in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin at any age.
Brandon Clarke's Grizzlies contract
Clarke was in the final year of his contract and owed $12.5 million. The deal was protected in the event of his death, according to Priority Sports, the agency that represented Clarke. The agency confirmed to The Commercial Appeal on Aug. 14 that Clarke’s contract was protected through life insurance via the Grizzlies that was negotiated into the deal, meaning the $12.5 million is expected to be paid in full through the policy.
"The Grizzlies have been an incredible partner in supporting Brandon from the moment they drafted him," Bartelstein said. "The support that the entire Grizzlies organization has shown to Brandon's family during this devastating time has been beyond words. And we all could not be more appreciative."
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
Lucas Finton covers crime, policing, jails, the courts and criminal justice policy for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached by phone or email: (901)208-3922 and Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com, and followed on X @LucasFinton.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Brandon Clarke's full autopsy finds multiple prescription drugs in system
