New twist after famous DJ’s mysterious death
The cause of death of a popular DJ has been ruled an accident after his body was found days before he was due in court for a sexual battery charge.
Erick Morillo, the DJ known for the nineties-era smash hit ‘I Like to Move It’ which later featured in the film Madagascar, was found dead on September 1 in Miami beach.
After responding to a 911 call, police told AFP there was no indication of any foul play.
The death came days before he was due in court after the 49-year-old was accused of making unwanted sexual advances towards a woman after they had drinks together.
The woman said she woke up naked and Morillo, also nude, was next to the bed.
The late DJ originally denied the accusations but turned himself in after the results of a rape kit matched his DNA.
Cause of death confirmed
The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office was working to determine the cause of death, with a spokesperson confirming to Fox News it was a result of acute ketamine toxicity.
According to American Addiction Centres, body mass, age and underlying medical or mental health conditions can lead to a toxic build up of ketamine.
It adds an overdose can make it harder for a person to breathe as respiration levels are disrupted.
Indications of ketamine toxicity can also include nausea, confusion, paralysis, seizures, coma, heightened blood pressure and chest pain.
“Ketamine overdose can be fatal, although death from ketamine poisoning alone is rare,” American Addiction Centres says on its website.
“Since paralysis is a side effect of ketamine use, if individuals start vomiting, they may then choke on their vomit.
“Accidents and injuries related to the dissociative effects may also result in injuries and life-threatening consequences.”
Huge hit launched successful career
Born in 1971 in New York and raised between Colombia and New Jersey, Morillo became known under the pseudonym Reel 2 Real and released the hit ‘I Like to Move It’ in 1993.
The song was a collaboration with the Trinidadian singer The Mad Stuntman – born Mark Quashie – and became an iconic Eurodance song with ragga vocals, a sub-genre of dancehall and reggae.
A massive hit particularly across Europe, the song had a resurgence in 2005 when it was featured in the animated film Madagascar, featuring Ben Stiller, Chris Rock and Jada Pinkett Smith.
Following the dissolution of Reel 2 Real, Morillo had a successful DJ career under a number of pseudonyms, and was known particularly for his contributions to the house genre.
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