What is chloroethane inhalation? Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh cause of death confirmed by US coroner

Chloroethane is also commonly known as ethyl chloride
Former Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh was found dead in his US apartment in August in Rochester, Minnesota, at the age of 41 (Photo: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)Former Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh was found dead in his US apartment in August in Rochester, Minnesota, at the age of 41 (Photo: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)
Former Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh was found dead in his US apartment in August in Rochester, Minnesota, at the age of 41 (Photo: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)

Former Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh was found dead in his US apartment in August in Rochester, Minnesota, at the age of 41.

The Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office has now confirmed he died from “inhalation of chloroethane”.

Former Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh was found dead in his US apartment in August in Rochester, Minnesota, at the age of 41 (Photo: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)Former Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh was found dead in his US apartment in August in Rochester, Minnesota, at the age of 41 (Photo: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)
Former Pop Idol star Darius Campbell Danesh was found dead in his US apartment in August in Rochester, Minnesota, at the age of 41 (Photo: Anthony Harvey/Getty Images)

But what is this and what does it mean?

Here’s what you need to know.

What is chloroethane?

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Autopsy documents obtained by the PA news agency listed “toxic effects of chloroethane” as well as “suffocation” as having contributed to the Scottish singer and actor’s death.

Chloroethane, which is commonly known as ethyl chloride, is a colourless, flammable gas or refrigerated liquid with a faintly sweet odour.

It is a strong alkylating agent which is used in gasoline additives, plastics, dyes, pharmaceuticals, topical anaesthetics, and as an industrial refrigerant.

The death was ruled an accident by the medical examiner.

A statement released by Campbell Danesh’s family previously said local police had found “no signs of intent or suspicious circumstances”.

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They said at the time of his death that Campbell Danesh was “found unresponsive in bed in his apartment room in Rochester, Minnesota, on August 11 and was pronounced dead in the afternoon by the local medical examiners’ office”.

The singer-songwriter and actor made his first bid for fame in ITV show Popstars in 2001 before appearing on the first Pop Idol, which was won by Will Young.

After Pop Idol, Campbell Danesh turned down Simon Cowell’s offer of a record deal and signed with producer Steve Lillywhite, whose credits include U2 and the Rolling Stones.

Campbell Danesh’s debut single, Colourblind, was released in July 2002 and went straight to number one, marking the start of a run of top 10 releases.

Following his death the song re-entered music charts and several days later took the top spot on the iTunes download chart.

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