Former Wilco member Jay Bennett’s death on May 24 was the result of an accidental overdose, according to Champaign, Ill. County Coroner Duane Northrup. He said the 45-year-old musician died after ingesting a toxic amount of fentanyl, a drug commonly used to treat chronic pain.
Having joined with Chicago-based band in 1994, Bennett played a major role in shaping the direction of Wilco’s peak-period releases, including Being There, Summerteeth and Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.
Bennett, a multi-instrumentalist and sound engineer, was kicked out of the band during the making of the latter album after constantly butting heads in the studio with the band's leader, Jeff Tweedy. Many of their arguments are captured in the documentary film, I Am Trying to Break Your Heart.
Before joining Wilco, Bennett headed the band Titanic Love Affair. Post Wilco he released five solo albums, and was working on his sixth, Kicking at the Perfumed Air, at the time of his death.
In May, Bennett filed a lawsuit against Tweedy, claiming $50,000 in unpaid royalties, and non-payment for his appearance in the documentary. He had been dogged by health problems and on April 24 had written on his Myspace blog that he was hoping to undergo hip-replacement surgery but lacked health insurance.
"A decade plus of multiple nightly stage jumps and various other rock and roll theatrics had finally taken a toll," he said, in part.
Wilco released a statement from Tweedy and the rest of the band at the time of Bennett’s death.
“We are all deeply saddened by this tragedy. We will miss Jay as we remember him — as a truly unique and gifted human being and one who made welcome and significant contributions to the band's songs and evolution. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends in this very difficult time.”