(L.A.) John Wheeler, 53, Ended His Life

Case Number: 2023-08888

Los Angeles County is reporting the death of a 53-year-old White/Caucasian male that occurred in a vehicle.

The coroner’s office has identified the man as John Wheeler.

Manner of Death: Suicide

Cause of Death: Cyclobenzaprine Toxicity

RIP JOHN WHEELER (September 11, 1969 – July 15, 2023)

Formal pronouncement of death was made on Saturday at 9:00 p.m.

Ruling by the deputy medical examiner was published on September 26, presumably after the results of tox screening came back positive for the drug.

Cyclobenzaprine (sold under the brand name Flexeril, among others) is a muscle relaxer used for muscle spasms from musculoskeletal conditions of sudden onset.

Of the over 150,000 deaths made public by the medical examiner of L.A. County since 2001, there have been at least 35 deaths that involved cyclobenzaprine, either in accidental overdoses or suicides.