Phillips, who was found dead Jan. 13, was awaiting trial for the murder of his cellmate in a California state prison when the former football star committed suicide. He already was serving a 24-year sentence for various crimes.
MORE: Notable sports deaths of 2016 | NFL animal power rankings
According to the coroner, when correctional officers at Kern Valley State Prison found the 40-year-old in his cell, he had a note taped to his chest that said, “Do Not Resuscitate.’’ He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The autopsy also included a full toxicology report. At the time of his death, Phillips had no drugs or medicines in his system.
At the scene of Phillips’ death, he was found with a sheet around his neck that was ripped and knotted and attached to a metal television pole. He also had a picture of himself and an unknown child in his left sock with a note. The coroner did not reveal what the note said.
