Coroner: Scott Sterling Died After Injecting Prescription Narcotic Meant for Oral Consumption

Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling's 32-year-old son, who was found dead in his Malibu apartment on New Year's Day, died of an embolism after injecting a prescription narcotic medication that was supposed to be taken orally, a coroner's official reported Monday.

Scott Sterling's body was found in his apartment in the 22600 block of Pacific Coast Highway at 11:29 p.m. on Jan. 1 by deputies, who were sent to make a welfare check at the request of friends who said he hadn't been seen in days, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Assistant Coroner Chief Ed Winter said the death was classified as accidental. Sterling was supposed to take the unidentified prescription medication by mouth, but instead cut it up and injected it, Winter said.

The coroner's report, based on an autopsy conducted Jan. 3, also listed two other "other significant conditions" — oxycodone use and diabetes, according to a statement released by Winters' office.

Sterling made headlines in 1999 when he shot childhood friend Philip Scheid at the Beverly Hills home of Donald Sterling. According to police reports, Scheid was shot from behind with a 20-gauge shotgun, though Sterling claimed he fired in self defense when Scheid attacked him with a knife. Charges were never filed against Sterling, then 19.