Almost exactly one year ago – 7 September, 2018 – rapper Mac Miller died after an accidental overdose. Now, charges have been brought against Cameron James Pettit in connection with the incident after evidence emerged suggesting Pettit supplied cocaine, Xanax and fentanyl-laced Percoset to the music star just two days before he died. After learning of Miller’s death, the 23-year-old dealer reportedly sent an Instagram message to a friend saying, ‘Most likely I will die in jail’. Pettit is being charged only regarding his allegedly having provided the drugs in question, and not in connection with Miller’s death.
Known for his relationship with pop star Ariana Grande as well as his own music – posthumously nominated for a Grammy, 2018’s ‘Best Rap Album’ – Miller’s death was world-news last year and has since been referenced in songs including Grande’s Thank U, Next with the line ‘Wish I could say thank you to Malcolm, cos he was an angel’. While Mac (real name Malcolm McCormick) had been open about his history of drug abuse and struggles with other substances, it is reported that he had never overdosed or been admitted to hospital for drug-related illness until his sudden death last year.
Sources indicate that authorities found drugs they believed to have been provided by Pettit in Miller’s home, as well as evidence that Miller had crushed and snorted oxycodone sourced from the dealer. Investigators are also reviewing text messages obtained in relation to Pettit’s role in the tragic incident, which appear to document a transaction between him and Miller. According to a transcript of the exchange in court filings, and as reported by ABC News, Miller ‘proclaims his love’ for oxycodone (Percoset) and asks for ‘bars’ (Xanax) and a ‘ball’ (of cocaine). ‘When can u get em?’ asks Miller. ‘Probably in an hour or 2. They are 30 ea,’ replies Pettit before Miller requests, ‘Any chance I can get 10 of those, 10 bars and a ball?’ ‘Yeah for sure,’ confirms Pettit.
Miller’s autopsy revealed traces of alcohol, cocaine, and fentanyl in his system. A synthetic opioid, fentanyl is frequently cut in to other drugs by street dealers (in this case, likely what Miller believed to be Percoset) to increase their strength – but, at 50 times more potent than heroin, the chemical is widely acknowledged as one of the key factors in America’s catastrophic opioid epidemic. Declared a public health emergency by President Donald Trump in 2017, and with almost 70,000 overdose deaths in the US last year alone, Miller’s death is sadly not a unique story. Nonetheless, it brought – and continues to bring – international attention to a problem still gripping America.
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