The singer died from the combined toxic effects of fentanyl, methadone, and amphetamines, along with recent cocaine use.

Douglas Kiker

Doug Kiker. 

The cause of death for former American Idol contestant Doug Kiker has been revealed as an accidental overdose.

The singer died from the combined toxic effects of fentanyl, methadone, and amphetamines, along with recent cocaine use, PEOPLE confirms with the City and County of Denver Medical Examiner. Kiker’s death has been ruled an accident. TMZ was first to report the news.

Days before his death, Kiker was hospitalized after a concerned passerby saw him on the streets of Denver and called emergency services.

Doug’s death had been confirmed by his sisters Angela Evans and Donna Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez on Wednesday, March 12 via Facebook posts. He was 32.

Douglas Kiker on American Idol

Doug Kiker on ‘American Idol’.  ABC

“Today I got the call that no one wants to get. We lost an amazing person today,” Kiker Carrillos-Ramirez wrote.

“He had the biggest smile and knew how to make you laugh. I know I didn’t raise him but I never stopped loving him,” she added. “My parents did an amazing job with him. Douglas Kiker you will forever be missed. Fly high. Say hey to grandma.”

“It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the passing of my brother Douglas Kiker,” Evans said. “He was sooo loved and will be missed by so many! [You’re] singing with the [angels] now Bubba. Please pray for our family as we go [through] this very difficult time.”

Doug, who was known as “The Singing Garbage Man,” auditioned on American Idol during the show’s 18th season. He brought judge Katy Perry to tears with his cover of Rascal Flatts’ “God Bless This Broken Road.”

“For a man who has no idea what his voice can do, for a man who has no idea what key he’s singing in, for a man who has no idea who the heck he can be, he’s here to do one thing: He’s trying to show his daughter that he’s somebody,” judge Lionel Richie said following his moving audition.

Adding, “I want us all to let you know, you’re a hell of a man.” Though he was eliminated during the season, Doug returned for the season finale for a virtual performance of the same song.

The following year, Doug was in the news after he was arrested and charged on suspicion of domestic violence in May 2021.

A GoFundMe had been set up to help Doug’s family with funeral expenses.

Per TMZ, Doug was survived by his two children, whom he shares with his ex-fiancée Valerie Cook.