UK Singer Died Of Chloroethane Inhalation In MN Apartment: Report

ROCHESTER, MN — Darius Campbell Danesh, a Scottish-born singer and stage actor who rose to fame on British reality-talent show "Pop Idol," died as a result of chloroethane inhalation and suffocation, the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner ruled.

Danesh was found unresponsive in his Rochester, Minnesota apartment on Aug. 11 and was later pronounced dead.

"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 lead to respiratory arrest," the man's family told the Guardian in a statement this week.

"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," the family added.

It's not publicly known why Danesh was in Rochester.

Danesh was born in Glasgow. He caught a major career break through his 2001 appearance on the British show, "Pop Idol."

He went on to have major roles in stage productions of "Chicago," "Guys and Dolls," and "Gone With the Wind."

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this story.