Avenged Sevenfold Drummer James Sullivan’s Autopsy Inconclusive

The results of an autopsy performed Dec. 29 on the remains of Avenged Sevenfold drummer James 'The Rev' Sullivan were deemed inconclusive, and the Orange County coroner's office has ordered additional testing on the body, with hopes that the results will provide a more decisive picture of just what claimed the 28-year-old's life earlier this week. However, it could be several weeks before those test results are returned.

The coroner's office has ordered "toxicology, microscopic and laboratory tests" on Sullivan's body, which will help them determine what took his life so suddenly on Monday, says coroner's office spokesperson Jim Amormino. Sullivan was found unresponsive in the Huntington Beach home he lived in with his wife, Leana MacFadden, a former nude internet model who went by the name Teen Topanga.

While investigators have maintained it appears Sullivan died of natural causes, only the coroner's office can make an official determination as to the cause of death. Police do not suspect foul play.

According to Larry Jacobson, Avenged Sevenfold's manager, Sullivan was an especially warm and friendly person who had "an easy smile and a laugh, and he was as smart as they come. You could sit and talk to him about anything."

The last time Jacobson saw Sullivan was a few days ago, at a friend's wedding reception. He seemed to be in good health and good spirits, and spoke with Jacobson about his recent Lasik eye surgery and the new car he'd just bought. When Sullivan's loved ones gathered Monday night to share memories of the drummer, the manager says the "mood ranged from deep and somber to smiles and laughs as they began to reminisce about the experiences everybody had with him. He was a loving son and a loving brother -- like no one you'd ever seen, and talented beyond people's perception."

Sullivan, Jacobson says, was the kind of chap who wouldn't mince words. "He was expressive. He'd tell you how he felt about you -- you didn't wonder, because he'd put his arm around you," the manager recalled. "He knew how to tell his friends he loved them."

In their own statement issued Monday evening, Avenged Sevenfold called Sullivan "not only one of the world's best drummers, but more importantly, he was our best friend and brother. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Jimmy's family and we hope you will respect their privacy during this difficult time."