Stab Magazine | Chris Brown Died By Falling Off A Cliff While High On Meth, Says Medical Examiner

Live Now: Chapter 11 Mini-Documentary With Dane Reynolds

2261 Views

Chris Brown Died By Falling Off A Cliff While High On Meth, Says Medical Examiner

“According to the investigation and toxicology reports, the decedent was under the influence of a high level of methamphetamine when he descended from a cliff to a rocky surf line below.”

news // Feb 12, 2019
Words by stab
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Iconic Santa Barbara surfer Chris Brown was found lifeless at the bottom of the Henry’s Beach cliffs a couple weeks back, with reports of head trauma

Since that day there’s been a broad outpouring of love for “Wrap-around” Chris Brown, who clearly brought happiness to all around him. 

11x World Champion Kelly Slater gave an especially meaningful obit to his old friend, which you can read here. 

However an autopsy report from the Santa Barbara Police Department details an unfortunate ending to Brown’s near-50-year life.

More from the San Luis Obispo Tribune:

Former professional surfer Chris Brown was high on methamphetamine last month when he fell from the cliffs above Hendry’s Beach and died, according to the Santa Barbara Police Department. 

An autopsy revealed that Brown, 48, a local sea urchin diver, passed away in the surf after suffering major injuries in the fall, said police spokesman Anthony Wagner. 

“It was determined that Brown died as a result of drowning due to blunt force injuries, which were caused by the decedent’s descent from height to the rocky surf line below,” Wagner said.

“Other significant conditions include acute methamphetamine intoxication,” Wagner added. “According to the investigation and toxicology reports, the decedent was under the influence of a high level of methamphetamine when he descended from a cliff to a rocky surf line below.”

“He sustained blunt force injuries that were significant enough that he was unable to remove himself from the surf line and drowned as a result,” Wagner said.

The exact manner of death has been certified as “undetermined” by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Bureau, Wagner said, adding that there was no indication of foul play. 

While we can’t say anything about drugs that hasn’t been said before, it’s devastating that such a beacon of positivity was lost down this rabbit hole of darkness.  

For those who are interested, a memorial service will be held for Brown at 10 a.m. Feb. 16 at Calvary Chapel, 1 N. Calle Cesar Chavez in Santa Barbara. 

A “message of hope” will be offered by Channel Islands heir Britt Merrick, and Dave Brown will deliver the eulogy. Following the memorial service, a paddle out will be held at the historic Sandspit.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Watch: João Chianca Had A Remarkable Hawaii Season Before His Injury

Plus an update on his condition.

Mar 28, 2024

Pittar’d And Feathered

Do the WSL judges deserve the internet's wrath? We asked the man of the hour.

Mar 28, 2024

Robbo, Pickles, And Tyler Wright Become The Underdogs Breakfast At Uninspiring Winkipop

The foreboding blade sharpens and inconsistent judging prevails on Day Two in Torquay.

Mar 27, 2024

“I Don’t Always Win Heats, But When I Do, I Try To Beat John John”

Slater shines and the axe begins its descent on Day 01 at Bells.

Mar 26, 2024

Back Against The Wall: The Ramzi Boukhiam Redemption

Morocco's first CT surfer on speaking six languages, having no coach, and snatching Fil Toledo's…

Mar 25, 2024

Will Kirra, Babies or JJF Stop a GOAT Winning at Bells?

Bluesky BOAG advice from a Superman specialist and former Trials winner.

Mar 25, 2024

Bells Preview: The WSL’s Victorian Sword Dancing Equinox Ritual

Will a Brazilian crack the Top 10 at Bells?

Mar 25, 2024

69 Shin Bones Later + the Anticlimactic State of Big Wave Record-Breaking

Lucas Chumbo might have surfed the biggest wave ever this year. But how will we…

Mar 23, 2024

Watch: ‘Fresh and Fried’ Ft the Quik Kids

How taxing is it to tackle the Gold Coast’s Triple Crown in a single day,…

Mar 23, 2024

The Popular Vote: The People’s Stab In The Dark With Kolohe Andino Champion

Which board looked best — to you —under Kolohe's talons?

Mar 22, 2024

Six Key Learnings From Portugal

Three CT events in, what do we know? 

Mar 21, 2024

‘Zipper’ Is Going On Tour, Here’s Where You Can Watch It  

Dates, times + locations for the Venice, Encinitas, Sydney + Byron premieres.  

Mar 20, 2024

Dane Reynolds On His Future, His Past, And Chapter 11’s Raison D’être

Our 9-minute plunge into the collective psyche of Ventura's pillar(s).

Mar 20, 2024

From ‘Blue Ribbon Cross Country Runner’ to Vogue – How Steph Again Is Back With A Rip Curl Remix

Everything we know about the she-GOATs sponsorship boomerang.

Mar 18, 2024

Stab Interview: Darren Handley Explains Why You Can’t Buy The Winning Stab In The Dark Model

And his decades-long standoff with Slater.

Mar 17, 2024

Griff Embraces Portugal’s Eternal Time Loop To Vanquish Medina + Ewing, Defay Delays The Inevitable

A redeeming closing act at Supertubos.

Mar 16, 2024

The Secret Behind Lungi Slabb’s Inconceivable Greenmount Funnel

Six broken boards, one leaking forehead, and five days of Superbank mysticism.

Mar 16, 2024

Cheat Codes: A Million Miles Worth Of Travel Advice From Coco Ho

Hard-earned wisdom from more than 2,000 hours in the troposphere.

Mar 15, 2024
Advertisement