Pubdate: Fri, 20 Aug 2004 Source: Knoxville News-Sentinel (TN) Copyright: 2004 The Knoxville News-Sentinel Co. Contact: http://www.knoxnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/226 Author: Associated Press BONNAROO DEATHS RULED DUE TO DRUG OVERDOSES NASHVILLE - Drug abuse killed two young adults who died while in Tennessee for the June Bonnaroo music festival, the state medical examiner has ruled. Brandon Taylor, 20, of Lowell, Mich., and Amber Lynn Stevens, 22, of Flatwoods, Ky., died from "acute combined drug toxicity," according to forensic pathologist Dr. Bruce Levy. Both deaths were ruled accidental and attributed to taking "too many drugs too soon," autopsy reports stated. The two young people died within a day of each other after being taken from the June festival to a hospital for treatment. They were the first deaths in the three-year history of the popular event, which drew 90,000 music fans to a 600-acre plus farm near Manchester. The autopsy report, released Wednesday by the Coffee County Sheriff's Department, says the deaths occurred "because of the combined effects of all the drugs in the body." Stevens had five drugs in her body when she died, while Taylor had three in his system, comprehensive toxicology tests revealed. The young woman's system contained ketamine, a general anesthetic also used as a painkiller and known as "Special K"; diazepam, a prescription drug normally given for anxiety attacks and seizures known by the brand name Valium; oxycodone, a prescription painkiller; plus marijuana and cocaine. Drugs found in Taylor's body were cocaine, oxycodone, and alprazolam, a prescription drug for anxiety and panic disorders known by the brand name Xanax. Law enforcement officials say all of the drugs found in the young people were among those confiscated by local officers when they arrested 27 people and issued 132 citations to Bonnaroo attendees. Coffee County Sheriff Steve Graves said the autopsy results came as no surprise. He said he witnessed a lot of drug activity during Bonnaroo but didn't have the manpower to make any more arrests. "We've been lucky over the years. I guess some will say that two deaths out of the number of people that were here is probably pretty good, but two is too many," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh