Former Wilco Guitarist Death Caused By Painkiller Overdose | The Quietus

Former Wilco Guitarist Death Caused By Painkiller Overdose

Death being investigated as accident

Former Wilco guitarist Jay Bennett’s death was caused by an overdose of the painkiller Fentanyl, according to a coroner in Illinois.

Bennett, who had suffered from long-term hip pain due to a stage-diving accident, was found unresponsive in his home on May 24 earlier this year, and died later that day.

Champaign County coroner Duane Northrup said that tests showed the 45-year-old’s cause of death as an overdose of fentanyl, a drug used to treat chronic pain.

The Illinois authorities are investigating the death as accidental.

Bennett left Wilco in 2001 and released several solo albums before his death.

Don’t Miss The Quietus Digest

Start each weekend with our free email newsletter.

Help Support The Quietus in 2025

If you’ve read something you love on our site today, please consider becoming a tQ subscriber – our journalism is mostly funded this way. We’ve got some bonus perks waiting for you too.

Subscribe Now