How Did Mac Miller Die? Criminal Charges & Arrest Of Alleged Drug Dealer Cameron James Pettit Explained
It's unclear whether others will be charged as well.
Getty Images Alleged drug dealer Cameron James Pettit has been arrested and charged by federal prosecutors in connection with the death of 26-year old rapper Mac Miller.
Miller's sudden passing on September 7, 2018, sparked worldwide questions about the circumstances surrounding his apparent drug overdose, as well as rumors regarding his cause of death.
While Miller, arguably most famous for being Ariana Grande's ex-boyfriend and whose real name was Malcolm McCormick, was found dead in his San Fernando Valley home some around noon that Friday, reports soon surfaced via TMZ that he'd likely already been deceased for many hours before his assistant called 911 to report him unresponsive.
"When cops and paramedics arrived at the rapper's home last Friday," TMZ states, "it was clear he had died long before they got there ... Our sources say only a tiny amount of white powder was found when cops searched the home. Our law enforcement sources tell us cops believe the house was swept clean to hide evidence of drug use."
His official cause of death — ruled "an accidental drug overdose due to a 'mixed drug toxicity' of fentanyl, alcohol, and cocaine" — was released by the Los Angeles County Coroner's office two months later on November 5,
Now, federal prosecutors have filed charges against Pettit, 28, "whom the feds allege supplied the rapper with counterfeit oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl in a new 42-page criminal complaint out of the Central District of California."
The 42-page criminal complaint and arrest warrant, which is public record, charges with Pettit with violations of 21 U.S. Code § 841 (a)(1), i.e., distribution of a controlled substance.
"According to the charging docs," TMZ explains, "two days before his death on Sep. 7, Mac received two deliveries of drugs — one from Pettit, who allegedly supplied the fentanyl-laced oxy pills, cocaine and Xanax — and another from a prostitute, who allegedly gave him pure oxy, hydrocodone, amphetamine, Xanax and coke on top of what Pettit had dropped off."
Additionally, "prosecutors allege that Pettit directly messaged about Mac's death shortly afterward on Instagram, allegedly telling friends that he probably shouldn't post anything as a reaction 'just to be smart.'"
Pettit was taken into custody on the morning of September 4, 2019. It's unclear at this time if others mentioned in the complaint will later be charged as well.
Soon after he died, an insider told People that Miller's death was "such a shock" because he had been at a party watching football with close friends the evening prior to his death.
Friends appear to have believed Miller was attempting to get his life back in order following a particularly difficult May, during which Miller wrecked his 2016 Mercedes-Benz G-Class and was arrested for a DUI and hit and run, two weeks after a painfully public breakup with Grande.
“I made a stupid mistake,” he told Beats 1 host Zane Lowe on July 23. “I’m a human being. Like, [I] drove home drunk. But it was the best thing that could have happened ... I needed that. I needed to run into that light pole and literally, like, have the whole thing stop.”
Miller had spoken publicly about his history with substance abuse, notably in the short documentary Stop Making Excuses produced by music magazine Fader.
He said he was addicted to a combination of promethazine and codeine — also known as "purple drank" or "lean" — during his Macadelic Tour in 2012.
"I love lean; it’s great," he told Complex in January 2013. "I was not happy and I was on lean very heavy. I was so fucked up all the time it was bad. My friends couldn’t even look at me the same. I was lost."
He said he quit lean in November 2012.
Just one day before he died, Vulture published a profile Miller had been interviewed for a month prior.
"I used to rap super openly about really dark [stuff],” he told journalist Craig Jenkins, “because that’s what I was experiencing at the time. That’s fine, that’s good, that’s life. It should be all the emotions."
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Editor's note: This is a developing news story. This article has been and may be updated as new information becomes available.
Emily Blackwood is a former editor for YourTango and writer covering pop culture, relationships and everything in between.