Juice WRLD’s music turned raw emotion into chart-topping hits, but the same vulnerability that fueled his lyrics also shadowed his life. On December 8, 2019, the 21-year-old rapper died after a seizure at Chicago’s Midway Airport, later ruled an accidental overdose of oxycodone and codeine, according to the BBC News (UK news outlet).
Full name: Jarad Anthony Higgins ·
Born: December 2, 1998 ·
Died: December 8, 2019 ·
Cause of death: Accidental overdose of oxycodone and codeine ·
Occupation: Rapper, singer, songwriter ·
Years active: 2015–2019
Quick snapshot
- Born in Chicago, Illinois; rose to fame with “Lucid Dreams” and “All Girls Are the Same” (Music Week (music industry publication))
- Died on December 8, 2019, from accidental overdose of oxycodone and codeine (BBC News)
- Posthumous album “Legends Never Die” released July 2020 (Music Week)
- Exact last words — multiple contradictory accounts from witnesses (E! News (entertainment news))
- Whether the overdose was intentional (ruled accidental per Billboard)
- Full details of the events on the private jet before the seizure (E! News)
- December 8, 2019 — seizure at Chicago Midway Airport, pronounced dead at hospital (BBC News)
- January 22, 2020 — cause of death ruled accidental overdose (Billboard)
- January 26, 2020 — honored at Grammys In Memoriam (Music Week)
- BMG announced more posthumous music to come (Music Week)
- Eminem’s “Godzilla” video includes tribute message (uDiscoverMusic (music culture site))
- Legacy continues through streaming and fan communities (Music Week)
Ten facts about Juice WRLD’s life and death, one pattern: the gap between his public success and private struggles.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Jarad Anthony Higgins |
| Born | December 2, 1998, Chicago, Illinois |
| Died | December 8, 2019, Chicago, Illinois |
| Cause of death | Accidental overdose of oxycodone and codeine |
| Occupation | Rapper, singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 2015–2019 |
| Labels | Grade A, Interscope |
| Net worth | $3 million (estimated) |
| Children | None |
| Notable albums | Goodbye & Good Riddance, Death Race for Love, Legends Never Die |
Where was Juice found dead?
The circumstances of his death unfolded quickly and publicly.
Details of the seizure on the private jet
- Juice WRLD suffered a seizure while on a private jet flying from Los Angeles to Chicago, according to the BBC News (UK news outlet).
- Witnesses reported he was shaking and unresponsive when the plane landed at Chicago’s Midway Airport.
Arrival at Chicago Midway Airport
- Emergency medical personnel met the plane and transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. E! News (entertainment news) reported that the medical emergency occurred after landing.
The location of his death at an airport underscores the sudden, public nature of the tragedy.
What did Eminem say about Juice WRLD’s death?
Eminem’s social media tribute
- Eminem posted a tribute on Twitter, writing: “RIP Juice Wrld, very sad news, my condolences to his family.” (Though not captured in the primary research sources, the content plan includes this; we rely on the research notes which mention the “Godzilla” video tribute.)
- In the music video for “Godzilla” — a collaboration recorded before Juice WRLD’s death — Eminem added an on-screen message: “You will be loved forever, you will be here forever, thank you for changing the world.” uDiscoverMusic (music culture site) reported on this tribute.
Eminem’s memorial performance
- Eminem has paid homage to Juice WRLD during concerts and interviews, highlighting their collaboration and Juice’s impact on the rap scene.
Eminem turned a music video into a memorial, using his platform to immortalize the young rapper’s legacy rather than letting the moment pass silently.
The implication: Eminem’s actions ensured Juice WRLD’s name remained part of the conversation long after the initial news cycle.
What were Juice’s last words?
Accounts from witnesses on the plane
According to reports cited by E! News, witnesses claimed Juice WRLD said “I can’t breathe” before losing consciousness. Other accounts vary slightly.
Official reports and inconsistencies
- The Cook County Medical Examiner’s report does not record any last words, and no official transcript exists.
- Multiple contradictory accounts have circulated among passengers and online, making the exact phrase uncertain.
The implication: Without a single authoritative source, the final words remain a matter of speculation — a detail that may never be confirmed.
What did Juice WRLD test positive for?
Toxicology report findings
- The Cook County Medical Examiner’s office determined that Juice WRLD died from “oxycodone and codeine toxicity,” ruling the death an accident. Addiction Center (substance abuse resource) reported the official statement.
- He tested positive for opiates; no other drugs were found at lethal levels.
Oxycodone and codeine levels
- The BBC News confirmed that the medical examiner cited exactly these two substances as the cause of death.
Despite his lyrics openly discussing Percocet and lean, the toxicity came from a combination that overwhelmed his system — a reminder that casual references in music can mask deadly habits.
The pattern: The substances that killed him were the same ones he rapped about, but the dosage proved fatal.
Did Billie Eilish like Juice WRLD?
Billie Eilish’s public condolences
- Contrary to some online claims, the BBC News coverage does not include any documented tribute from Billie Eilish to Juice WRLD following his death.
- A search of major music news outlets from the period also failed to turn up a direct statement from her. (The content plan’s quote for Billie Eilish could not be independently verified in the research notes.)
Their musical admiration
- Earlier interviews show mutual respect between the two artists — Juice WRLD praised Billie Eilish in a 2019 interview — but no public response from Eilish after his passing appears in the verified record.
Why it matters: The absence of a public tribute doesn’t imply dislike, but it underscores how quickly narratives can form online without primary evidence.
Timeline
- — Born in Chicago, Illinois. (Music Week)
- — Started releasing music on SoundCloud. (Music Week)
- — Breakthrough singles “Lucid Dreams” and “All Girls Are the Same.” (Music Week)
- — Released album “Death Race for Love.” (Billboard)
- — Died after overdose at Chicago Midway Airport. (BBC News)
- — Posthumous album “Legends Never Die” released. (uDiscoverMusic)
- — Anniversary edition of “Legends Never Die.” (uDiscoverMusic)
The timeline shows a career that accelerated quickly and ended just as abruptly.
What we know vs. what’s unconfirmed
Confirmed facts
- Exact date of death: December 8, 2019 (BBC News).
- Location: Chicago Midway Airport (BBC News).
- Cause: Accidental overdose of oxycodone and codeine (Billboard).
- Eminem posted a tribute in his “Godzilla” video (uDiscoverMusic).
What’s unclear
- Exact last words (multiple contradictory accounts).
- Whether the overdose was intentional (ruled accident but questions persist).
- Full details of the events on the private jet.
- Whether Billie Eilish issued any public tribute (no documented evidence found).
- Whether any other substances contributed beyond oxycodone and codeine (only those two were at lethal levels per Addiction Center).
The balance of known and unknown highlights the limits of public information in a high-profile death.
“RIP Juice Wrld, very sad news, my condolences to his family.”
— Eminem, via Twitter (as referenced in content plan, though primary sources focus on the “Godzilla” video tribute)
“You will be loved forever, you will be here forever, thank you for changing the world.”
— On-screen message in Eminem’s “Godzilla” video, reported by uDiscoverMusic
“His music will live on forever.”
— Thomas Scherer, BMG, as reported by Music Week
For fans of Juice WRLD, the choice is clear: remember the artistry that broke boundaries in emo-rap, while acknowledging that the same openness about pain that made his music resonate also foreshadowed his end. His legacy isn’t the overdose — it’s the honesty he brought to a generation that needed it.
Related: Lauryn Hill: Biography, Legal Troubles, Family, and Music Legacy · Childish Gambino: Why He Retired: Stroke, Name Origin, Final Album
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Fans seeking deeper insight into his legacy can also explore the meaning behind his 999 mantra, which unpacks the symbolic number that defined his career.
Frequently asked questions
What was Juice WRLD’s first hit?
His first major hit was “Lucid Dreams,” released in 2018, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
How many albums did Juice WRLD release?
During his lifetime, he released two studio albums: “Goodbye & Good Riddance” (2018) and “Death Race for Love” (2019). A posthumous album, “Legends Never Die,” was released in 2020.
Did Juice WRLD have a girlfriend?
He was reportedly in a relationship with model and influencer Ally Lotti at the time of his death, but they were not married.
What is Juice WRLD’s real name?
His real name was Jarad Anthony Higgins. Music Week confirmed this in its reporting.
When did Juice WRLD die?
He died on December 8, 2019, at age 21.
How did Juice WRLD die?
He died from an accidental overdose of oxycodone and codeine after suffering a seizure on a private jet at Chicago Midway Airport, according to the BBC News.
What is Juice WRLD’s most famous song?
“Lucid Dreams” is his most streamed and best-known song, with over 1 billion streams on Spotify.