Autopsy Report: Don Cornelius Was Plagued By Seizures Before Suicide

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Damian Dovarganes / AP file / Today

E! News has obtained the graphic autopsy results on "Soul Train" legend Don Cornelius, who died back in February at the age of 75.

The documents reaffirm the coroner's ruling issued then: the cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head which entered through the right temple.

Read the Coroner Investigator's summary here

The autopsy report states that Cornelius had suffered an aneurysm about 15 years ago which caused him to develop seizures and "as time went on the decedent's health continued to decline regardless of his medication."

It notes that on Feb. 1 at approximately 3 a.m., the 75-year-old "Soul Train" host phoned his son and said, "I don't know how long I can take this." Moments later, Cornelius apparently pulled the trigger.

His son later told investigators, "[I] found the back door open and detected the odor of smoke ... then found [the elder Cornelius] unresponsive on a chair. 911 was dialed."

MORE: Soul Train Impresario Don Cornelius' Death Officially Ruled a Suicide

The report, which includes vivid depictions of Don Cornelius' wounds, reveals that he had been "very depressed about his failing health" for the past six months.

After paramedics failed to revive him with CPR, the impresario was pronounced dead at 4:56 a.m. No suicide note was found and no foul play was suspected.

Related content:

  • Video: World mourns passing of Don Cornelius

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Tag » How Did Don Cornelius Die