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Jamie Sangouthai Cause of Death Revealed: Skin Infection, IV Drug Abuse

Jamie Sangouthai
Lamar Odom's friend Jamie Sangouthai died from a bacterial skin infection, and IV drug abuse, the L.A. County Coroner concluded.

The family of Lamar Odom's close friend Jamie Sangouthai is one step closer to getting closure after the 37-year-old's sudden death. On Thursday, June 18, the L.A. County Coroner's ofice reported that Sangouthai's death was drug related, but was not an overdose.

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Assistant Chief Ed Winter told Us Weekly that Sangouthai died as a result of the bacterial skin infection necrotizing fasciitis. IV drug abuse was also cited in the autopsy report as a contributing factor in his death, which has been ruled an accident.

Sangouthai is said to have gone to the hospital for an infection in his arm before it spread throughout his body. He died at the Los Angeles-area hospital on Sunday, June 14.

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In the days since his death, Sangouthai's friends have rallied to help his family bring Sangouthai's body home to New York to be buried. Classmates from Christ the King High School started a GoFundMe page to raise money for funeral expenses. Exceeding its $15,000 goal as of Thursday morning, the fundraising effort is also asking for emotional support for those closest to Sangouthai. “Whether it be in the form of a monetary donation, or prayers being said for his mom and family, anything you can do will be greatly appreciated,” the memorial page read.

Odom, who appeared with his estranged wife Khloe Kardashian and his high school pal on E!'s Khloe & Lamar, is devastated by the loss. "Lamar is beside himself. This is the worst tragedy," a source told Us Weekly.

"He feels like it could have happened to him," the insider said of Odom, who's battled his own issues with substance abuse. "This is a huge wake-up call for him. It has really shaken him.

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