Mike Starr: Alice in Chains Bassist Found Dead

by Jordan Yerman | March 8, 2011 at 04:44 pm

380 views | 0 Recommendations | 0 comments

Mike Starr Found Dead in Salt Lake City

Mike Starr, founding bassist of Alice in Chains and 2009 cast member of Celebrity Rehab, was found dead in Salt Lake City. Mike Starr was 44 years old, and had battled drug addiction for around 20 years. Fellow Alice in Chains musician, singer Layne Staley, died of a heroin and cocaine overdose in 2002, nine years after Starr was kicked out of the band.

The cause of Mike Starr's death is not yet known, but he was arrested in February for possession of prescription painkillers. He was awaiting a court date to answer felony drug possession charges.

"Devastating to hear of Mike Starr succumbing to his illness. So very sad. Our prayers are with his family," Dr. Drew Pinsky tweeted this afternoon.

Starr, who was born in Honolulu, played in Seattle with Jerry Cantrell and Sean Kinney as the glam band Diamond Lie, which later morphed into Alice in Chains with the addition of Layne Staley.