(L.A.) James Stemple, 64, Ended His Life

Case Number: 2019-09278

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 64-year-old Caucasian male that occurred at his residence.

The coroner’s office identified the man as James Stemple.

Manner of Death: Suicide

Cause of Death: Multiple Drug Toxicity (Morphine, Hydrocodone, Ethanol, Chlordiazepoxide and Lorazepam)

RIP JAMES STEMPLE (July 3, 1955 – December 9, 2019)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Monday at 2:01 p.m.

Chlordiazepoxide and lorazepam are both benzodiazepines used for treating anxiety and alcohol withdrawal.

* Both chlordiazepoxide and lorazepam, as benzos, can cause or contribute to suicidal thoughts or suicidal ideation

Chlordiazepoxide (brand name Librium) is a long-acting benzodiazepine commonly used for anxiety disorders, alcohol withdrawal, preoperative anxiety, and has sedative and mild pain-relieving effects. It is only available in oral capsule form and has a long half-life, which allows it to work over an extended period and be “self-tapering” during outpatient detoxification.

Lorazepam (brand name Ativan) is a shorter-acting benzodiazepine available in oral tablets, liquid, and injectable forms. It is used to manage anxiety disorders, short-term anxiety relief, panic attacks, insomnia, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and status epilepticus seizures, along with alcohol withdrawal.