Former America ‘s Got Talent and The Voice contestant Nolan Neal’s causeof death has been determined.
The Nashville-based singer, who competed on season 15 of AGT and season 11of The Voice , died at 41 on July 18 in his apartment. The coronerdetermined that Neal died from “acute combined drug toxicity,” and his deathwas ruled an accident. (The news was first reported by the New York Post ‘sPage Six and subsequently confirmed by multiple outlets.)
A spokesperson from the Davidson County Medical Examiner’s office in Nashvilleconfirmed to the outlet that the drugs found in Neal’s system included adeadly combination of morphine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl.
AMERICA’S GOT TALENT — “Live Show 3” Episode 1515 — Pictured: Nolan Neal
Chris Haston/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images Nolan Neal on AGT
RELATED: Nolan Neal, Former America ‘s Got Talent and _The Voice_Contestant, Dead at 41
Neal’s cousin Dylan Seals confirmed to TMZ at the time of the musician’s deaththat the singer was found dead in his apartment. At the time, the MetropolitanNashville Police Department told Page Six that officers received a call of a”deceased person” that was later identified as Neal.
“On the desk next to the bed was a black guitar pick that appeared to containa powder residue,” a spokesperson from the department revealed to the outlet.”The victim reportedly struggled with substance abuse.”
Seals told PEOPLE at the time of Neal’s death that he was “saddened” that themusician “ultimately succumbed to his battle with substance abuse.”
“He was always open and honest about that struggle,” Seals said. “He was aloving father and son. A light to all who knew him. My heart goes out to histwo children and his mother Cathy.”
RELATED: Family of Former America ‘s Got Talent Contestant Nolan Neal Asksfor Help Following His Sudden Death
THE VOICE — Season: 11 — Pictured: Nolan Neal
Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images
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In July 2020, Neal told WBIR, “I joined the rock band Hinder, they were allabout drinking and partying.”
“I remember going to a bar and ordering a drink. I tried to hide it,” hecontinued. “I remember pretending to be normal. I was just lying to myselftelling myself that I could control it.”
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Neal first rose to recognition on The Voice in 2016. His auditionperformance of the Incubus song “Drive” allowed him to nab a spot on AdamLevine’s team, though he was eventually eliminated from the competition.
Nearly four years later, Neal went on to compete on _America ‘s Got Talent _in2020. He auditioned with an original song called “Lost.” He was latereliminated in the Judges’ Choice section of the Quarterfinals.
Simon Cowell, Nolan Neal
Amy Sussman/Getty, Chris Haston/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Simon Cowell(left) and Nolan Neal
RELATED: Simon Cowell Speaks Out After Death of Former AGT ContestantNolan Neal: ‘You’re Never Prepared’
Weeks after Neal died, Simon Cowell shared his thoughts on the tragedy withPEOPLE.
“Unfortunately, it happens too much over the years,” Cowell, 62, says ahead of_AGT_ ‘s live shows on Tuesday. “I was thinking about this the other day.People [who] passed too soon. Every time it happens, because you’ve gotten toknow them, it’s horrible.”
“At that moment, it’s like, ‘What can I say?'” he notes. “The unfortunatething is it’s happened too many times and every time it happens, it’s hard.”
Referencing the February death of fellow AGT contestant Nightbirde, who wasalso his Golden Buzzer selection in season 16, Cowell says: “After the lastthree years, it’s been tough. And then, you think everything’s okay and thensomething hits you like a story like that and it’s hard.”
“But all I can say is, what I’ve learned from this, is that you just takeevery day as it is and you try and stay positive, you try and stay healthy,”he adds. “That’s it. I mean, I was talking about this to someone earlier on,you’re never prepared for these days.”