Former Detroit Tigers Pitcher Dies Of Alleged Drug Overdose

It’s a sad day for the major league baseball family. Former pitcher, Jose Capellan, suddenly and unexpectedly was found dead in his home. His wife believes he died of a heart attack, the Philadelphia Department of Health believes he died from an accidental drug overdose. He was only 34 years old.

“Apparently it was a heart attack, [according to] the paramedics who responded to the emergency call,” Patricia Capellan told the Associated Press. “I was working when I received a call telling me that Jose was dead. I could not believe it. He was alone in the house.”

Patricia’s stepfather, Alejandro Almonter, found Capellan in his bed around 8:00PM EST on Tuesday evening in Philadelphia, PA. She told the AP and ESPNdeportes, that her husband was addicted to Ambien, a prescription drug used to treat sleep disorders.

“He died yesterday (Tuesday) and it seems to be due to a heart attack as a result of having used a drug to sleep,” she admitted later. “Jose had no love problems, or other problems, such as have been speculating on social networks. He didn’t drink alcohol, but he had lost control in the use of sleeping pills.

The Dominican born Capellan, played with the Braves, Brewers, Tigers, Rockies and Astros during his five-year playing career that spanned from 2004 to 2008. He finished his career with a 5-7 record with a 5.89 ERA over 99 games.

In addition to the MLB, Capellan played in Korea and the Dominican Republic with the Gigantes del Cibao and Toros del Este. He retired in 2015 after playing the 2013-2014 season in the Dominican with the Toros.

Capellan battled drug problems while playing baseball and was under a treatment program with Major League Baseball for Ambien. According to his wife, his addiction to Ambien was a well known fact for those that knew him.

Capellan’s remains will be sent to the Dominican Republic next week where funeral services will be held in his hometown of Cotui.