PIMP C's DEATH RULING: 'Accidental overdose'

*The LA County coroner's office says that Texas rapper Pimp C died of an accidental overdose of a combination of codeine and promethazine.

The drugs are key ingredients in "syrup," a narcotic of choice in Southern rap circles that was most famously celebrated by Three 6 Mafia and Pimp C's group Underground Kingz in the 2000 single "Sippin' on some Syrup."


Pimp C also had sleep apnea, which causes people to stop breathing for up to 30 seconds at a time while sleeping, the coroner's office said.


That illness combined with large amounts of prescription-strength cough syrup is what killed the rapper.


Pimp C, born Chad Butler, was 33 when he was found in his bed Dec. 4 at the upscale Mondrian hotel in West Hollywood.


The coroner's office said his body was decomposing when it was found.