New details have become available about former NFL player Josh Mauro, who died at the age of 35 on April 23. Authorities have pointed to an accidental drug overdose.
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According to the California Post, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner has said that Mauro died from "acute combined fentanyl, cocaine, and ethanol intoxication." The Phoenix Police Department told the California Post that officers had been called to Mauro's Arizona home just after noon local time on April 23.
They found the 35-year-old deceased at the scene. The authorities said that they did not see any obvious signs of foul play. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner has since labeled this as an accidental death.
"With many tears and broken hearts, yet anchored in the unshakable certainty that our precious Josh Mauro is now healed and made new ... we humbly covet your prayers as our family walks through the devastating loss," Mauro's father Greg wrote in a Facebook post.
"On Thursday, April 23rd, Josh breathed his last breath on this earth and his first breath in heaven."
A former Stanford defender, Mauro began his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals. He played in five games in 2014 before expanding his role in 2015-2017. He played in 47 games while starting 26 between 2014-2017. He tallied 75 tackles, two sacks, and 10 quarterback hits.
Mauro moved to the New York Giants in 2018, and he played in 12 more games. He then joined the then-Oakland Raiders in 2019 while playing in another 13 games.
Mauro closed out his NFL career with two more seasons in Arizona. He played in eight more games for the Cardinals between 2020-2021 while adding two more sacks to his career total.
"Damn I can't believe I have to do this right now," former Raiders teammate Maxx Crosby said in a social media post on April 28. "I'm sick to my stomach, to be honest.
"But my guy Josh Mauro just passed away recently. Damn bro, I really don't have words. I love you, bro, and I wish I could've done more for you. I wish I could've been there for you. It's just tough man."
