Jay Bennett Dies of Painkiller Overdose

The Champaign County coroner has confirmed that the former member of the band Wilco died from an overdose of fentanyl, a chronic pain medication that was prescribed to him for his hip problems. According to the Chicago Tribune, Bennett wrote in his Myspace blog that the pain was due to years of performaces and "rock and roll theatrics," and that he could no longer ignore the pain. However, he did not have the necessary health insurance to be able to pay for hip replacement surgery.

Earlier this year, Bennett had filed a lawsuit against Wilco's founder Jeff Tweedy for royalty money, reports American songwriter. Whether or not he got the money is unclear, but if he did it must have been insufficient to pay for the surgery he so badly needed.

Bennett died in his home in Urbana, Ill., on March 24, according to the New York Times. His death is being investigated as an accident. Bennett joined Wilco in 1994, and will be remembered for his contribution to the band's three albums "Being There," "Summerteenth," and "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot."