No cause of death or further official details were disclosed, but news of a probable cardiac arrest and some rumors – later deleted – that attributed the death to an overdose spread on the web .
Taylor has had substance abuse problems in the past and had a heroin overdose in 2001.
The musician’s body was found in the hotel room in Bogota, Colombia, where the band was to perform.
An intervening police officer allegedly said that ” white cocaine-like powder ” was found in the hotel room, Colombian journalist Luis Carlos Velez reported , while the national newspaper El Tiempo reported that authorities ” found hallucinogenic drugs “But” no signs of violence in the luxury hotel room “.
Velez added:
“In the room, Colombian authorities found an empty beer can, an open bottle of vodka, a bottle of Coca-Cola and some items that need to be analyzed by the authorities.
“The hotel witnesses told me that Taylor Hawkins called the front desk for help with” chest pain “before he was found dead in his room.”
An unconfirmed local report claimed that several glasses were found in the drummer’s room, sparking speculation that the musician had entertained guests prior to his death.
The Colombian State Prosecutor’s Office, in its first official comments on the tragedy, confirmed:
“As soon as we were informed of the death of foreign citizen Taylor Hawkins, the drummer of the Foo Fighters, who was staying in a hotel north of Bogota, a team of prosecutors and investigators was mobilized to address urgent matters and support the investigation.”
The local police of Bogota, in a statement released by several Colombian newspapers, said:
“The cause of death has yet to be established. According to those close to him, death could be related to drug use. ‘
The band’s news was confirmed in a statement on Friday night. The band was scheduled to perform on Saturday at the Picnic Stereo Festival in Bogota, Colombia . The date has been cleared.
The Foo Fighters – which include Dave Grohl, Pat Smear, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett and Rami Jaffee – had released a statement on social media communicating Taylor’s death.