When news broke yesterday of the death of Jack White keyboardist Isaiah “Ikey” Owens, some reports speculated that it was drug related. Mexico’s Periodico Digital said Owens was found dead in a Puebla, Mexico hotel room Tuesday morning, and that authorities reportedly found drugs and alcohol in his proximity.
Today, White’s publicity team at Nasty Little Man have refuted the notion that his death was drug-related, stating that Owens, aged 38, died of a heart attack.
Here is their statement:
The coroner has determined that Ikey Owens died from a heart attack the morning of October 14 at approximately 4 am. The only drugs found in his room were a small amount of marijuana.
Ikey, born Isaiah Randolph Owens, was a GRAMMY award-winning artist best known for his work with Jack White, the Mars Volta, De Facto and Free Moral Agents, among others. He was a beloved member of the music community as well as his hometown of Long Beach, CA.
White has since cancelled the remainder of his Mexico tour dates. Here is White’s official statement released yesterday, in full:
It is with great sadness that we tell the world of the passing of the incredible musician Isaiah “Ikey” Owens. He will be missed and loved forever by his family, friends, bandmates and fans.
Ikey Owens was an astounding keyboard player in Jack White’s backing band. He also played with Mars Volta, Free Moral Agents, and many other projects.
Out of respect for Ikey, the remaining shows of the Jack White Tour in Mexico have been cancelled.
We will all miss you Ikey. You were and are an incredible artist.
Here is video of Jack White and his band performing “Seven Nation Army” a few days ago in Mexico…