How Did Jimi Hendrix Die? Separating Rumors From Reality

Jimi Hendrix died on September 18, 1970, in London at the age of 27, BBC reported at the time. His death shocked the music world and sparked countless rumors and conspiracy theories through decades. But what was the truth behind it all?

How Did Hendrix Die?

On the night of September 17, 1970, Hendrix was with his girlfriend, Monika Dannemann, at her apartment in the Samarkand Hotel in Notting Hill, according to Gold Radio. The next morning, she found him unresponsive and called an ambulance at 11:18 a.m. When paramedics arrived, they found the singer alone, unconscious, and covered in vomit. He was taken to St. Mary Abbots Hospital, where doctors tried to revive but declared him dead at 12:45 p.m.

An autopsy revealed that Hendrix died from asphyxiation after choking on his own vomit. He had consumed nine Vesparax sleeping pills, a dose 18 times higher than recommended (per Wikipedia).

Was He Struggling On His Final Days?

Hendrix’s performances in his final days were erratic. His last concert on September 6, 1970, at the ‘Open Air Love and Peace Festival’ in Germany met with bad weather and a hostile crowd made things difficult. BBC described the show as subdued. The singer’s final public set took place two days before his death at ‘Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club’ in London, with Eric Burdon’s band, War.

Wikipedia notes that, in the weeks before his death, Hendrix was struggling with exhaustion, insomnia, and flu-like symptoms. Overwork and constant touring had taken a serious toll on his health. He was also dealing with legal battles, including a paternity case and a dispute over his recording contract. On top of that, he was looking for a way to end his professional relationship with his manager, Michael Jeffery.

Could The Singer Have Died By Suicide?

While Hendrix’s death was officially ruled an accident, inconsistencies in the accounts of his final hours fueled speculation. Monika Dannemann’s statements about that night changed over time, leaving many questions unanswered, All That Is Interesting wrote in 2021. She claimed he was alive when paramedics arrived, but the ambulance crew reported finding him already dead.

Another theory reported by the same outlet suggested that the musician may have taken his own life. Some point to the poem he wrote hours before his death, which included lines like “The story of life is quicker than the wink of an eye,” as evidence of suicidal thoughts. However, those close to Hendrix, including Eric Burdon, dismissed the idea of suicide, saying the poem was simply reflective of his artistic nature.

Was It Murder?

One of the most persistent theories is that Hendrix was murdered by his manager, Michael Jeffery. Former roadie James ‘Tappy’ Wright claimed in a 2009 memoir (via All That Is Interesting) that Jeffery confessed to killing Hendrix to collect a $2 million life insurance policy. According to Wright, Jeffery forced pills and wine down Hendrix’s throat. However, there is no solid evidence to support this claim, and Jeffery himself died in a plane crash in 1973.

The autopsy also raised questions. Although Hendrix’s blood alcohol level was low, reports described an unusually large amount of wine in his lungs. Dr. John Bannister, who treated the singer at the hospital, believed he drowned in red wine, though this detail is not reflected in the official findings, Musiclipse shared.

The Truth Is Still Hidden

The autopsy results, Hendrix’s declining health in his last days due to the pressure of his career, and the accounts from his loved ones proves the ruling of accidental death. But the inconsistencies surrounding the matter suggest something else. Even today, the full truth behind the vocalist’s death remains a mystery.