Autopsy Shows Joplin Died From an Overdose

An autopsy by the Hollywood, Calif., coroner's office revealed yesterday that Janis Joplin died from an overdose of drugs.

An examination of the body of the 27-year-old rock singer disclosed numerous needle marks on both arms, with several fresh ones on the left arm, the coroner said.

The autopsy surgeon found evidence of a small amount of alcohol in her blood, but none of any barbiturates. There was no evidence of injury or violence.

He said that further tests would be needed to identify the type of drug she had used.

Joplin, whose singles "Piece of My Heart," "Maybe," "One Good Man," and whose albums, "Cheap Thrills" and "I Got Them Ol' Kozmic Blues Again, Mama," made her the undisputed star of white blues singers, was the second rock superstar in a month to die of an overdose of drugs.

Jimi Hendrix, also 27, was found dead in his London apartment last month, having suffocated on vomit while unconscious.

Joplin's body was found in her hotel Sunday night by her guitarist, John Cooke, who became suspicious when she did not emerge from her apartment all day Sunday.

She had been dead approximately 12 hours, police said. Bottles of tequila, vodka and wine were found in the apartment, but no drugs.

The coroner also said yesterday that a team of behavioral scientists would conduct a psychological autopsy in which they would examine her personal life to determine whether the drug overdose was accidental or intentional.