What was David Ruffin cause of death?
David Ruffin’s death did shock everyone in the world considering how vibrant he was in the music scenes. David Ruffin died on June 1, 1991, from an accidental overdose of crack cocaine. He had reportedly collapsed at a West Philadelphia crack house, where he had gone with his friend Donald Brown, according to authorities.
Brown then drove Ruffin to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was declared dead at 3:55 a.m. that morning from “an adverse reaction to drugs (cocaine)” after emergency room personnel spent almost an hour attempting to revive him.
Although the cause of death was ruled an accident, Ruffin’s family and friends suspected foul play, claiming that a money belt containing $40,000 was missing from his body. However, his girlfriend at the time, Diane Showers, was not surprised when she was informed of his death.
Ruffin’s funeral was held at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit. Surviving members of the Temptations sang “My Girl”. Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin also sang at the funeral. Michael Jackson volunteered to pay for the funeral expenses but did not attend the service.
Ruffin was finally buried in section three at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit.