Jimmy Hayes Died After Doing Fentanyl-Laced Cocaine, Widow Is SHOCKED

It is with a heavy heart The Blast reports that promising NHL star, Jimmy Hayes, died after an accidental overdose.

The hockey player’s official cause of death has been revealed and according to the Massachusetts state medical examiner, the sports star died of “acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl and cocaine.” This was confirmed to E! News on Sunday, Oct. 17. The death was ruled to be accidental.

Jimmy unexpectedly and tragically died at the age of 31 on August 23. He left behind a wife and two sons, Beau (2) and Mac (5 mos.)

His widow, Kristen Hayes, issued a statement to the Boston Globe on October 17 upon hearing the news.

"I was so certain that it had nothing to do with drugs,” Kristen said. "I really thought it was a heart attack or anything that wasn't that [drugs]... It didn't make any sense, so it was hard.”

She continued, “I was hoping to get a different phone call when they called. I was hoping to get some clarity, and I was shocked to hear that it was that... He never showed any signs of a struggle at home.''

Unfortunately, addiction runs in Hayes’ family. His father, Kevin Hayes, revealed to BG that he himself is a ‘recovered addict,’ and he had conversations with the NHLer about drugs.

Last year, Kevin approached Jimmy about concerns that he may have been struggling with addiction as well.

“About maybe 16 or 17 months ago, I saw a little change in Jimmy's behavior, and I went to him, and I said, 'I think there might be a problem here with pills,'" Kevin recalled. "He had had an injury for a while, and I think he started taking the painkillers, and they get you."

His father continued to tell the outlet, "He called me three weeks later and said, 'Dad, I'm hooked on these pills. I got injured, and I started taking them, and I never got off.' And I said, 'Well, let's get you some help.' He went to a place up in Haverhill. So he gets help, and everything was on the path to recovery, I thought. But this is so powerful."

Last month, Kristen commemorated her late husband on social media on the one-month anniversary of his death.

She posted a series of family photos of the four of them.

She wrote, “Today is one month without you. How?? I could sit here and write about how this has been the hardest, worst month of my life, but what good would that do? Instead, today, I look back on this month and am in awe of how strong myself, the boys and our families have been.”

The post continued, “Our lives were turned upside down. Words can’t even come close to expressing how much I miss and need you so I’m not even gonna go there on here, but damn this sucks. In the meantime keep sending me signs and giving me strength. We love you always, dadda ??.”

Rest in peace, Jimmy.