Drug Cocktail Led to Gracie’s Death

The first report on the death of Ryan Gracie (Pictures) states that he died due to a combination of illegal drugs and prescription medication.

Two months after his body was found in a Sao Paulo jail cell, the "Fantastico" television program on Rede Globo in Brazil cited a toxicology report conducted by experts that indicated Gracie had consumed marijuana and cocaine. He also had the following anti-anxiety medications in his system: Midazolam, Alprazolan, Prometazina, Clozapine and Haloperidol.

The medications were given in therapeutic doses, according to the official report. Yet official investigator Paulo D'Amico Jr. said it was the combination of drugs, not their measurement, that caused Gracie's death. D'Amico explained that the drug cocktail affected Gracie's heart and also noted the fighter's history of dependence.

Psychiatrist Sabino de Farias Neto administered the medication.

"For 31 years I have treated patients who use marijuana, cocaine, [alcohol]," Neto said. "And use medications exactly at this level."

Psychiatrist Marcelo de Mello, who had no connection to the case, commented during the "Fantastico" program's report on the effects of several drugs in the body.

"The thing you will notice is the amount of drugs that were used at the same time," Mello said. "One interacts with the other, which can increase the number of side effects. In this case, especially the heart. The heart may start to knock off the pace, [beat] more seriously -- it can lead to cardiac arrest."

The use of cocaine can exacerbate the situation. Furthermore, problems were likely compounded when Gracie left the Legal Medical Institute and returned to jail.

Dr. Neto visited him inside the cell.

"And in jail he gave more medicines to Ryan," said Flavia Gracie, Ryan's sister. "At the time of leaving, he took a remedy out of his pocket and said, 'Ryan, if you need it in the middle of the night. This is one of mine.'"

The official cause of death, based on an analysis of the toxicology report, is expected in the next week. The investigator, D'Amico Jr., will wait for official disclosure before he decides whether to implicate the doctor for homicide without intent to kill or even intentional murder.

"Dr. [Neto] took the risk of causing Ryan's death in those conditions where he was," D'Amico Jr. said.

Lazarini Pedro Neto, the doctor's lawyer, denies the guilt of his client.

"I am distressed, anxious, [because of] this report," Dr. Neto said. "It is sad because I went there to save lives."