The death of three-time world surfing champion Andy Irons was being investigated as a possible methadone overdose, The Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported Tuesday.
Irons, 32, died Tuesday in a Texas hotel room during a layover on his way home to Hawaii from a tournament in the Caribbean. He withdrew from the Rip Curl Pro Search event in Puerto Rico earlier this week, citing illness, and early reports suggested he may have been suffering from the viral illness dengue fever.
Local officials said the cause of death was not immediately known, but The Star-Advertiser reported it was a being investigated as a possible overdose, citing information provided by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office.
The examiner's office said a container of the prescription drug zolpidem was found on the nightstand in Irons' hotel room and that methadone was found inside it. Zolpidem is commonly used for insomnia. A number of other drugs also reportedly were found on the nightstand.
An autopsy was set to take place Wednesday, but the exact cause of death would not be known for 60 to 90 days if a toxicology test is required.
Born in Hawaii, Irons won three world titles from 2002 to 2004. He withdrew from the full ASP World Tour season in 2009 for personal reasons, however he was granted a wild card back on to the tour in 2010 and won an event in Tahiti in September.
He leaves behind a pregnant wife, Lyndie Dupuis, who is due to give birth to the couple's first child next month.
"Andy was a beloved husband, and a true champion," read a family statement on the ASP World Tour website.
