A heart attack has been revealed to be the death of former Megadeth drummer Nick Menza.

According to the autopsy report, Menza suffered a heart attack on stage while playing with OHM in Los Angeles this past Saturday (May 21).

Many speculated that his death was due to drug consumption, but the drummer had actually been sober for eight years according to NME.

TMZ released a report that said, “The autopsy results show this was not your stereotypical drug-related death.”

Shortly following his death, family spokesperson and Menza’s biographer J. Marshall Craig released a statement to The Huffington Post that read, “Despite his excellent health and extremely active, sober lifestyle, a heart attack is his suspected, though not confirmed, cause of death.”

Menza will be well remembered as the long-running drummer of Megadeth who played with the band from 1989 to 1998. This time period is also noted as being the most successful for Megadeth. Menza was featured on the albums Rust in Peace, Countdown to Extinction, Euthanasia and Cryptic Writings.

He was first invited into the band in 1989 after a live performance with the group a year prior. Unfortunately for Menza, he found a tumor on his knee and had to leave a 1998 tour for surgery and was never asked back.

But according to Craig, the memoir that was released was complimentary to Menza’s former bandmates and expressed gratitude for being able to be a part of it. His band OHM included another former member of Megadeth, Chris Poland.

Megadeth frontman Dave Mustaine made an announcement that Megadeth will be putting on a benefit concert in his memory that will feature all of the musicians ever included in the band.

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