Garrett Reid Death Investigation: Steroids Found

Prosecutor: no evidence that Reid was giving the steroids to any Eagles players and that investigators could not determine if the drugs were for Reid's own use or for distribution

A Pennsylvania prosecutor said Monday that his investigation into the fatal heroin overdose of Garrett Reid, the oldest son of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, revealed there were steroids in his room the day he died.

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie says the news of Garrett Reid's steroid possession is "disappointing" and Coach Reid apologized to fans and the organization for any "adverse appearances" his son's actions caused. 

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said Monday that anabolic steroids were found in the room where Garrett Reid was staying when he overdosed on heroin Aug. 5 during Eagles training camp.

He said there was no evidence that Reid was giving the steroids to any Eagles players and that investigators could not determine if the drugs were for Reid's own use or for distribution.

Northampton County Coroner Zachary Lyseck told NBC10 that his office plans to test Reid's tissues to determine if steroids played a contributing role to his death. Lyseck adds that Reid's cause of death won't change from a self-administered heroin overdose.

Morganelli said that steroids had nothing to do with Reid's death. The prosecutor showed little appetite for a deeper probe, saying his investigation was focused on the circumstances surrounding Reid's death at 29.

"The issue of steroids, it's an illegal substance in Pennsylvania law. It has probably more significance in the sports world. But since it did not appear to be related to his death, we're not pursuing that any further," Morganelli said.

Coach Reid released this statement on the team's website shortly after the steroid information was revealed:

"As you all know, my son Garrett battled addiction for many years. While there were some victories along the way, it ultimately was a battle that he lost and that cost him his life. Our family feels the pain of that loss every day.

"Today’s report saddens me greatly, but only confirms the troubles Garrett encountered in the final years of his life. As parents, we were encouraged by his apparent progress but, like many addicts, he was able to conceal the signs of relapse.

"Jeffrey Lurie, the Eagles organization and the people of Philadelphia have been remarkably supportive of my family throughout our ordeal. I am confident that my son’s decisions did not affect our football team in any way. I cannot apologize enough for any adverse appearances that my son's actions may have for an organization and a community that has been nothing but supportive of our family."

Lurie also released a statement where he noted no Eagle has failed a performance-enhancing drug test, per CSNPhilly.com:

“The news today on Garrett Reid’s possession of steroids is disappointing. It’s clear the conduct in which he apparently engaged runs counter to the values and principles mandated for everyone associated with our organization. We have spoken with the league office and have pledged our full cooperation with their requests should there be any. While we remained saddened by the tragic end of a young man’s life and know how hard this must be for the entire Reid family, we are extremely confident that Garrett’s actions were unknown to those around him and did not involve our football team.

“The NFL has a rigorous drug testing program for its players. It is a matter of record that none of our players has tested positive for any of the steroids mentioned in the district attorney’s report.”

Garrett Reid was found dead in his dorm room, slumped over in his chair. The team doctor tried to revive him with a defibrillator, but couldn't. Garrett was at Eagles training camp helping the team's strength and conditioning coaches.

Investigators said they found 47 syringes, 64 needles and prescription pills in Garrett's gym bag. They also found 19 vials of an unknown liquid substance that they tested and later discovered was anabolic steroids. The vials contained: Testosterone Propionate, Boldenone Undecylenate, Nandrolone Phenyl Propionate and Trembolone Acetate.

According to Morganelli, Testosterone Propionate is a steroid that needs to be injected every two to three days for maximum results. It can be prescribed for men who do not make enough testosterone on their own. Recreationally it is used as a muscle-enhancing drug/or performance steroid.It helps bulk up muscles. 

Boldenone Undecylenate is a steroid often used in the off-season because it is more likely to show up in drug testing because it stays in your system longer. This is commonly used by body builders to build up mass and muscle. Unlike the first type, this steroid lasts in your body longer.  People need to inject it every three to four weeks.

Nandrolone Phenyl Propionate is a steroid that used to be very expensive and hard to get.  Recently it has become a cheaper one to obtain. It is long acting, takes a long time to “kick in” and clear out of system. It is usually limited to body building group.

Trembolone Acetate is a strong anabolic steroid on the market. It builds up muscle mass and makes you strong in a shorter amount of time. There are no estrogen side effects. This is generally combined with other steroids for better effects. 

Garrett's death ended a drug struggle that he fought for years. It sent him to rehab, to jail and to Arizona, where at one point he stopped touching base with his family for months and became so destitute that he was living out of his car and had dropped 100 pounds.

We may never know who supplied Garrett Reid with the heroin he died using. Lehigh University police closed their investigation on his death. After going through his phone records, they couldn't figure out who Garrett got the heroin from or where he got it.

Prosecutors said in the days before he died Garrett was calling and texting people he talked to often. The only thing they found that was out of the ordinary was conversations Garrett was having with a Lehigh Valley-area person he'd met a couple of weeks before his death.

Morganelli said they interviewed that person, who had contacted with Garrett within 24 hours of his death, but determined that "there is no evidence that this individual had any direct relationship with respect to the possession and/or delivery of any illegal substances to Mr. Reid."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us