The cause of death for Crazy Town frontman Shifty Shellshock, born Seth Binzer, has been confirmed as an accidental overdose of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine. The 49-year-old musician passed away on June 24, with the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner officially reporting the findings on September 24.
Shifty’s death was first noted on the Medical Examiner’s website shortly after his passing, but the specific cause remained under investigation for several months. According to Howie Hubberman, the band’s manager, Shellshock struggled with addiction throughout his career, particularly during Crazy Town’s rise to fame with the hit song “Butterfly.”
“Seth Binzer, after struggling with addiction and Crazy Town’s rapid success, never was able to reach out on a more successful level to deal with his addictions,” Hubberman stated in a message to PEOPLE. “We all tried, but ultimately we all failed, or Shifty would still be here.” He added that the death resulted from a mix of prescription medications and illicit drugs.
Shellshock’s battles with substance abuse were well-documented, especially during his appearances on VH1’s reality shows Celebrity Rehab and Sober House in the late 2000s. Over several seasons, he openly faced his addiction to cocaine and his attempts at recovery, though he experienced multiple relapses.
In 2012, Binzer faced legal troubles when he was arrested for cocaine possession and subsequently sentenced to three years of probation. He later entered a reputable drug and alcohol treatment center, hoping to restructure his life.
In a poignant series of Instagram posts from late April, Binzer acknowledged his ongoing struggles with addiction. “I’m a lover than a fighter…but the one I need to love more instead of fight with is myself,” he wrote, expressing a commitment to sobriety.
Binzer’s legal issues continued in 2023 when he was arrested for DUI, following a public altercation with fellow musician Bobby Reeves. At that time, Crazy Town was opening for the metal band Hed PE, but they were removed from the tour after the incident.
Following the news of his passing, Adam Bravin, a co-founder of Crazy Town, paid tribute to Binzer on Instagram, writing, “Rest Easy Seth ❤️.”
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