Medical Examiner Rules Tay Keith Died From Accidental Overdose Involving Ketamine And Kratom Compound

The Nashville Medical Examiner’s Office has determined that Grammy-nominated producer Tay Keith died from an accidental overdose caused by a combination of ketamine and mitragynine, the primary alkaloid found in kratom. The ruling, first reported by TMZ on September 17, concludes the investigation into the death of the 29-year-old producer, whose legal name was Brytavious Lakeith Chambers.

The autopsy report states Keith’s cause of death was ‘combined mitragynine, 7-Hydroxymitragynine, mitragynine pseudoindoxyl, and ketamine toxicity.’ The manner of death was classified as an accident, with the circumstances listed as the ‘toxic effects of drugs.’

The report also noted the presence of nicotine and ethanol in Keith’s system. Additionally, the medical examiner observed that Keith had mild coronary artery disease, which contributed to the fatal overdose.

Reactions and Tributes

Following the release of the autopsy findings, artists who collaborated with Keith have continued to pay tribute. Drake, who worked extensively with the producer, previously wrote on Instagram: ‘Endless and eternal gratitude for your spirit and your contributions to this thing that we all love so much…you will be deeply missed.’

Travis Scott, whose hit ‘Sicko Mode’ Keith co-produced, shared a tribute on his Instagram story: ‘We gone miss ya broozayy. Gon keep going hard for ya….!!!’

Future also posted a brief tribute on X, writing: ‘Forever Legendary.’ BlocBoy JB, one of Keith’s closest collaborators, delivered a longer message on Instagram, saying: ‘Yesterday I had to bury my sandy my day 1 blood couldn’t make us no closer… Me and you was like salt and pepper cuh we really started this shit never thought you’ll be in a casket before me.’

Background and Career

Keith was found dead in his Nashville apartment on June 18 during a welfare check conducted by Metro Nashville Police. At the time, police stated that no foul play was suspected and described the death as unclassified pending autopsy results.

Keith, a Memphis native, began making beats as a teenager and went on to become one of hip-hop’s most influential producers. He earned 11 top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 and produced four No. 1 songs. His work included co-producing Travis Scott’s ‘Sicko Mode,’ Eminem’s ‘Not Alike,’ Beyoncé’s ‘Before I Let Go,’ and executive producing Sexyy Red’s 2024 album ‘Sexyy We Trust.’ He also held the record for the most No. 1s on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart this decade, with six.

Keith graduated from Middle Tennessee State University, where he was later named an honorary professor. His family released a statement through his label, Drumatized, saying: ‘Brytavious was a visionary producer, songwriter, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and cultural force whose work helped define the sound of a generation from Memphis to the global stage.’

Ongoing Developments

The presence of mitragynine, a compound found in kratom, has drawn attention to the substance’s role in the overdose. Kratom is federally legal in the United States and sold openly, though Tennessee passed a full kratom ban in 2026. The FDA and DEA have been monitoring kratom for years, and a more potent synthetic version called 7-OH has been temporarily scheduled as a controlled substance.

Keith’s family has established the Tay Keith Foundation to support music education and addiction awareness in Memphis. A celebration of life service was held at the Cannon Center in Memphis on June 30, attended by Sexyy Red, BlocBoy JB, Gunna, and others.

The autopsy report concludes the medical examiner’s investigation into Keith’s death. No additional official statements have been released regarding the findings.