Brian Nestande
PALM DESERT (CNS) – Former Palm Desert Assemblyman Brian Nestande‘s death in March was the result of an overdose of drugs including fentanyl and cocaine, an autopsy determined, according to reports Tuesday.
According to results first reported by Uken Report and later confirmed by the Desert Sun, the 60-year-old Republican former legislator’s March 6 death was caused by “multiple substance intoxication,” including both fentanyl and cocaine.
The autopsy also identified chronic hypertension and heart disease and potential contributing factors to the death, which was ruled accidental.
According to the Riverside County Coroner’s office, Nestande was found dead at 2:10 p.m. March 6 at his home in the 73000 block of Vermeer Way in Palm Desert.
Nestande previously served as chief of staff to Rep. Sonny Bono, then Rep. Mary Bono. He served in the Assembly from 2008 to 2014 representing the Coachella Valley, and was later a deputy CEO for Riverside County.
He is survived by his wife, son, daughter and five stepchildren. His wife, Gina, is a Palm Desert City Council member.
According to Uken Report, the autopsy stated that Nestande was found unresponsive in his home by Coachella Mayor Steven Hernandez, chief of staff to Riverside County Supervisor V. Manuel Perez. Hernandez told coroner investigators he had gone to check on him after not hearing from Nestande for a few days. He was able to enter the home through an unlocked rear sliding door to the home, according to Uken Report.
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