The family of the late Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh has issued a statement following confirmation that his death in August was an accident "caused by chloroethane, which is used to treat pain and that tragically led to respiratory arrest".
The entertainer's family said that he was "suffering from chronic neck pain following a car accident in 2010" as they thanked everyone for their "love and kindness".
He died from "inhalation of chloroethane", the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner's Office has confirmed, with his death ruled an accident by the medical examiner.
Post-mortem examination documents obtained by the PA news agency listed "toxic effects of chloroethane" as well as "suffocation" as having contributed to his death.
A statement from his family to the PA news agency said: "The results of medical examinations have confirmed that Darius's death was an accident caused by chloroethane, which is used to treat pain and that tragically led to respiratory arrest.
"Darius was suffering from chronic neck pain following a car accident in 2010.
"We would like to thank everyone for their love and kindness, and ask that the family's privacy is maintained during this difficult time."
In 2010, Campbell Danesh spoke to Hello! magazine about the car crash in which he broke his neck.
The singer had been a passenger in a Porsche when it hit a wall at 70mph after skidding on oil during a holiday in Spain.
The Scottish singer-songwriter and actor - who was known as Darius Danesh when he made his first bid for fame in ITV show Popstars in 2001 - also appeared on the first Pop Idol, which was won by Will Young.
Fellow Pop Idol contestants Young and Gareth Gates paid tribute to him following his death, describing him as "driven, courageous and gentle".
Music mogul Simon Cowell, who Campbell Danesh turned down for a record deal after his time on the talent show, also paid tribute to the singer, as did Hollywood actor Gerard Butler.
Source: Press Association
