Beach Boys star Brian Wilson’s cause of death has been revealed after the last surviving brother from the iconic band died aged 82.
Formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961, the original line-up of the American rock band included brothers Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine.
Wilson’s family announced his death earlier this month, after he had been living with a neurocognitive disorder, believed to be dementia.
The iconic bandmember reportedly died from respiratory arrest, which occurs when the heart is still beating but the lungs stop functioning, according to a death certificate seen by TMZ.
The certificate is also said to list a series of other health issues Wilson was suffering from when he died, including sepsis and cystitis.
Other conditions reportedly listed were neurodegenerative disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, chronic respiratory failure and chronic kidney disease.
The Beach Boys were once of the most commercially successful bands of all time, selling more than 100 million records globally.
Originally established as a garage band focused on Wilson’s songwriting and managed by their father Murry Wilson, the Beach Boys had their first national hit in 1963 with the hit song Surfin’ USA.
Before the end of the decade the band released an astonishing 15 albums. Other notable hits that followed included Good Vibrations and California Girls.
Wilson’s family announced his death with a post of a photo of him sitting on a park bench in recent years.
They wrote: ‘We are heartbroken to announce that our beloved father Brian Wilson has passed away.
‘We are at a loss for words right now. Please respect our privacy at this time as our family is grieving. We realize that we are sharing our grief with the world. Love & Mercy.’
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