Chicago Airport Tragedy: Which Rapper Died?

what rapper died in chicago airport

On December 8, 2019, 21-year-old rapper Juice WRLD, born Jarad Anthony Higgins, died at Chicago's Midway International Airport after suffering a seizure and cardiac arrest. The rapper, who rose to fame with the hit song Lucid Dreams, died of an accidental overdose of oxycodone and codeine, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office. This article will explore the circumstances surrounding his death, the impact he had on the music industry, and the legacy he left behind.

Characteristics Values
Name Juice WRLD
Legal Name Jarad A. Higgins
Age 21
Cause of Death Accidental overdose of oxycodone and codeine
Date of Death 8 December
Day of the Week Sunday
Time of Death Around 3:15 a.m.
Location Chicago's Midway International Airport
Plane Type Private jet
Origin of Flight Los Angeles
Hospital Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn

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Juice WRLD's cause of death

Juice WRLD, born Jarad Anthony Higgins, was a 21-year-old rapper who died at Chicago's Midway International Airport on December 8, 2019. He suffered a seizure and cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn a short time later.

Higgins had just arrived at the airport on a private plane from LA when he went into convulsions. He was treated with Narcan, a medication to block the effects of opioids, and woke up, but he remained incoherent and was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

An autopsy was performed, and the Cook County Medical Examiner's office announced several weeks later that Higgins had died of an accidental overdose of oxycodone and codeine. Oxycodone is an opioid painkiller, and both drugs were found in Higgins' system.

At the time of the rapper's death, his plane was searched, and drug-sniffing dogs alerted authorities to the presence of narcotics. A search revealed 41 bags of suspected marijuana, six prescription bottles of suspected liquid codeine, and three guns.

In the wake of her son's death, Carmella Wallace, the rapper's mother, said she hoped the tragedy would help raise awareness of addiction.

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Juice WRLD's career

Jarad Anthony Higgins, known professionally as Juice WRLD, was an American rapper, singer, and songwriter. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1998 and was raised by his single mother, who was very religious and forbade him from listening to hip hop.

Higgins began his career as an independent artist in 2015 under the name JuicetheKidd, releasing his first track, "Forever", on SoundCloud. He recorded most of his first tracks on a cellphone, uploading them to SoundCloud in his sophomore year. He changed his name to Juice Wrld because he and his associates believed the change would benefit his career. He signed a recording contract with fellow Chicago rapper Lil Bibby's Grade A Productions in 2017 and entered a joint venture with Interscope Records early the following year.

Juice WRLD gained recognition with the diamond-certified 2018 single "Lucid Dreams", which peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The song preceded his triple-platinum debut album Goodbye & Good Riddance (2018), which also included the Billboard Hot 100 entries "All Girls Are the Same" and "Armed and Dangerous". He then released the collaborative mixtape Wrld on Drugs (2018) with Future, as well as his second album, Death Race for Love (2019), which contained the hit single "Robbery" and became his first number-one debut on the US Billboard 200.

In 2019, Juice WRLD was named the top new artist at the Billboard Music Awards. He collaborated with Eminem on the song "Godzilla" from the album Music To Be Murdered By, released shortly before his death.

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Police findings on the plane

On December 8, 2019, 21-year-old rapper Juice WRLD, whose legal name was Jarad A. Higgins, died at Chicago's Midway International Airport. The cause of death was ruled as an accidental overdose of oxycodone and codeine by the Cook County Medical Examiner's office.

According to police reports, Juice WRLD had arrived at the airport on a private plane when he went into convulsions and suffered a seizure. During this time, police searched the plane and found a large quantity of narcotics, guns, and ammunition.

The plane's occupants, including Juice WRLD's entourage, were in the lobby with their luggage, which consisted of two carts. K9 units from the Illinois State Police were called in and alerted officers to the presence of narcotics in two suitcases. A subsequent search revealed 41 bags of suspected marijuana, six prescription bottles of suspected liquid codeine, and three guns.

Police reported that none of the plane's occupants claimed ownership of the luggage. However, they also stated that everyone was cooperating with the authorities, and there were no signs of foul play.

The rapper was transported to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. The official cause of death was determined to be oxycodone and codeine toxicity, with the manner of death ruled as accidental.

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Juice WRLD's autopsy

The autopsy of American rapper Juice WRLD, whose real name was Jarad Anthony Higgins, concluded that he died of an accidental overdose of the opioid painkillers oxycodone and codeine. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office ruled out any foul play in the 21-year-old rapper's death, which occurred on December 8, shortly after arriving at Chicago's Midway International Airport on a private plane.

The autopsy findings corroborated law enforcement accounts that Higgins had suffered convulsions while officers searched his private jet, which had been carrying the hip-hop star, for drugs and guns. Federal agents administered Narcan, a medication used to block the effects of opioids and revive individuals believed to be overdosing on opioids. However, despite regaining consciousness, Higgins remained incoherent and was rushed to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where he was pronounced dead.

The rapper's girlfriend, questioned by police at the scene, confirmed that Higgins had a history of drug abuse and had taken Percocet, a prescription painkiller. The search of the private hangar revealed a significant amount of contraband, including 41 vacuum-sealed bags of marijuana, six bottles of prescription codeine cough syrup, and multiple firearms with ammunition.

The toxicology report confirmed the presence of oxycodone and codeine in Higgins' system, leading to the conclusion of accidental overdose. The manner of death was ruled as an accident, bringing some clarity to the tragic passing of the young and talented musician, who had openly rapped about his struggles with substance abuse.

The autopsy report, combined with law enforcement investigations, provided a comprehensive understanding of the events leading to Juice WRLD's untimely death. The findings highlighted the dangers of substance abuse and the tragic consequences that can arise, even with immediate medical intervention.

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Juice WRLD's legacy

The tragic and untimely death of rapper Juice WRLD, who passed away at the young age of 21, sent shockwaves through the music industry and his dedicated fan base. His death, which occurred at Chicago's Midway Airport in 2019, was attributed to a seizure, with later reports suggesting it was linked to his consumption of codeine and oxycodone. Despite his short time in the spotlight, Juice WRLD left an indelible mark on the world of hip-hop and his influence continues to be felt today.

Born Jarad Higgins, Juice WRLD rose to prominence in the late 2010s with a unique style that blended elements of hip-hop, emo, and rock. His music often explored themes of heartbreak, mental health struggles, and drug use, resonating deeply with a generation of young people facing their own inner demons. Juice WRLD's talent for fusing melodic rap with emotional honesty and raw vulnerability set him apart from his peers and earned him a dedicated fan following.

One of Juice WRLD's most significant contributions to hip-hop was his role in shaping the sound of emo rap, a subgenre that combines emotional lyrics with trap and hip-hop influences. His ability to articulate the pain and struggles of his generation struck a chord with many, and his music became an outlet for fans facing similar challenges. Songs like "Lucid Dreams," "All Girls Are the Same," and "Legends" showcased his talent for blending catchy melodies with heartfelt lyrics that explored themes of love, loss, and the complexities of youth.

Beyond his musical impact, Juice WRLD also left a legacy of openness and vulnerability that encouraged a more honest dialogue around mental health in the hip-hop community and beyond. His willingness to address his own struggles with anxiety and drug addiction inspired others to speak out and seek help. The raw emotion in his music continues to provide solace and a sense of community for those facing similar battles.

In the years since his death, Juice WRLD's influence can still be felt in the works of numerous artists who cite him as an inspiration. His distinctive style and sound have left an indelible mark on the hip-hop landscape, with his music continuing to be celebrated and discovered by new audiences. Posthumous releases, including the album "Fighting Demons," have further solidified his place in hip-hop history and served as a reminder of his immense talent.

As fans continue to celebrate his life and art, Juice WRLD's legacy stands as a testament to the power of emotional honesty in music. His all-too-brief career shone a light on the importance of addressing mental health issues and challenged the stereotypes of masculinity and emotional vulnerability in hip-hop. Through his music, Juice WRLD continues to inspire a generation to confront their struggles and find solace in the power of raw, unfiltered expression.

Frequently asked questions

The rapper Juice WRLD, whose real name was Jarad Anthony Higgins, died of an accidental overdose of oxycodone and codeine.

Juice WRLD suffered a seizure and went into convulsions after arriving at Midway International Airport on a private plane.

It is unclear what the rapper's reaction was, but there were no signs of foul play, and the occupants of the plane were cooperating with authorities.

Drug-sniffing dogs alerted officers to narcotics in two suitcases. The search turned up 41 bags of suspected marijuana, six prescription bottles of suspected liquid codeine, and three guns.

Juice WRLD was 21 years old. He had celebrated his birthday just days before his death.

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