Yesterday, news broke that Malcolm McCormick, better known as Mac Miller, had passed away at the age of 26. The rapper was discovered dead at his home in San Fernando Valley, having apparently taken an overdose of undisclosed substances. His death has not yet been confirmed as deliberate, but is suspected to be a suicide on account of the musician's known struggles with depression and addiction - not to mention his recent breakup with Ariana Grande.
However, some of Miller's friends have now said that they were watching football with him just hours before his death, and that his passing has come as a complete shock to all of them.
"He loved the Steelers and was just out with friends watching the game last night," an anonymous music industry source disclosed to People.
The rapper apparently watched the Philadelphia Eagles play the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night, and did not seem to be particularly out of his normal character. "That’s why this is such a shock," the source said.
The friend added: "Everyone who he worked with was aware that he was delicate, but thought it was because of the new album, nerves, nothing like this.
"At his record release in New York he was happy taking pictures, we felt like he was back. He wasn’t even drinking in New York.
"He was an artist’s artist; everyone loved him."
Further doubts were raised about Miller's suspected overdose after TMZ reported that the rapper's house was practically clean of any illegal substances.
According to the celebrity news outlet:
"Law enforcement sources tell TMZ, they only found a tiny amount of white powder when they searched the home for clues as to how Mac died. They also believe, based on conversations with witnesses and other evidence ... the house was almost swept clean, so there was no evidence of drug use.
"Cops believe Mac OD'd on drugs, and our law enforcement sources say it makes no sense to them that someone who consumed a fatal dose would have the foresight to scrub the house of pill bottles, illegal drugs as well as drug paraphernalia on the off chance they might die."
Nevertheless, Miller did have a known substance abuse problem.
In 2015, he said: "I had a drug problem for a long time. It wasn’t just in music, but I definitely was going through a drug problem and I think it was more my state of mind. I was just pretty depressed."
Miller's cause of death has yet to be officially determined, but is expected to be disclosed in the near future.
Meanwhile, Ariana Grande has made no comment on her ex's passing (understandably, as she must be grieving), but some people on social media have taken to blaming her for the 26-year-old's death.
After their break-up, she said of Miller: "I respect and adore him endlessly and am grateful to have him in my life in any form, at all times regardless of how our relationship changes or what the universe holds for each of us."
Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Miller at this difficult time, and we hope that we will have definitive answers about the circumstances that led to his untimely death in the imminent future.
