Celebrity Rehab third season contestant, and former Alice In Chains bassist, Mike Starr has died, age 44, RadarOnline.com can report.

During his appearance on Dr Drew’s hit VH1 show, an emotional Starr revealed that he did not want to end up like his former band mate, Layne Staley, who died of a drugs overdose in 2002, age 34.

As RadarOnline.com previously reported Starr was facing felony drug charges in Salt City Utah after being found last month in possession of six pills of a painkiller called Opana and six pills of the anti-anxiety drug Xanax.

At the time of Starr’s arrest, Dr Drew told RadarOnline.com: "Mike Starr's addiction is so profound that I always have to be prepared to expect anything."

Cause of death is unknown at this time.

Sad. RIP. Guess i'll put on some AIC.

sad. he seemed like a genuinely nice guy. dont understand the addictions.

last week Charlie Sheen was ripping on Dr. Drew and it made me think of Mike. I hope Sheen isn't next.

I remember quitting vicodin after 7 months of use for my blown out hip, it was terrible. Worse than quitting 15 years of smoking I think. both really sucked. I hate addiction.

not exactly the headline i want when i die. i would think being in an awesome band might be a bit more important.


RIP

Fuck, cranking more classic AIC and damn what an amazing band. Too bad dope fucked it all up. Other than PJ they were the best "grunge" band.

Oh wow, that's sad news. I'll admit that I never really paid attention to any of AIC's basslines, but I'm always up for a good excuse to listen to Dirt, though in this case I wish it was something else. RIP Mike.

Its raining here today.
I'll have to listen to rain when i die when i hop in the car.

Sad news for his friends and family.

That's really sad. How come he got arrested just with pain killers? Breaking a bail condition or somethin?

He was a great bass player..the bass line for Would is a perfect example..

RIP

I was just thinking that his bass playing didn't really stand out to me but then you mention that sweet bassline.

The one AIC bassline that really sticks out to me is "No Excuses," but I think that was "the new guy."

Alice In Chains, Nikki Sixx and more pay tribute to Mike Starr

Bassist passed away aged 44
March 9, 2011

Alice In Chains have paid tribute to their former bassist Mike Starr, who was found dead yesterday (March 8th) in Salt Lake City.

Guitarist Jerry Cantrell and drummer Sean Kinney issued a statement about Starr's passing.

"Jerry and Sean are mourning the loss of their friend and ask that the media respect their privacy - and the privacy of Mike's family - during this difficult time," the statement read. "Their thoughts and prayers are with the Starr family."

Many other musicians have offered tributes today. Former Guns N' Roses drummer Matt Sorum tweeted from Twitter.com/mattsorum: "Drugs and alcohol aren't a joke. Please take care of yourself and respect yourself. We lost Mike Starr today. Rest in peace man."

Motley Crue bassist Nikki Sixx tweeted from Twitter.com/nikkisixx: "RIP Mike Starr. Another fallen soldier to addiction."

Former Avenged Sevenfold drummer Mike Portnoy also offered his sympathies, tweeting from his page, Twitter.com/mikeportnoy. "RIP Mike Starr... I watched his struggle on Celebrity Rehab and had my fingers crossed for his recovery," he wrote. "This disease kills... sad stuff."

Poison singer Brett Michaels, Matchbox Twenty singer Rod Thomas and another ex-Guns N' Roses drummer, Steven Adler, also paid their respects online.

Wrestler/singer Chris Jericho also referenced addiction and the media circus surrounding Charlie Sheen's abuse of drugs. "Sorry to hear about Mike Starr's death," Jericho wrote. "Amid all of the joking about tiger blood and winning, let's not forget that drugs kill people."

Dr. Drew Pinsky, who treated Starr on Celebrity Rehab and Sober House, tweeted: "Devastating to hear of Mike Starr succumbing to his illness. So very sad. Our prayers are with his family.

The cause of Starr's death is yet to be confirmed.

What an inappropriate smiley.

fixed. Stupid parenthesis.

Maybe, but you gotta give the dude credit for trying to get clean.

Very sad to hear this.
RIP, man.

I don't think reality tv is a great cure.

Surely he got some money out of the deal, gotta feed yourself/family somehow.
Reality anything isn't a positive, but it's still better that he tried to get help instead of blowing his brains out like another famous heroin addict I can think of... I'd rather be known for hanging with Dr. Drew and crew than putting a gun in my mouth.

ok...
Results appear to be similar though.

There are only two ways out for a lot of these people - they continue to use or they end up dead. Can you think of anyone who's had a drug addiction like his, for half their life, and can now say they've been sober for 20+ years?

That's a different topic entirely, but Lanegan ? Surely it's not been 20 years but the guy appears to be clean.
Anyway i just don't think celebrity rehab is good for anything.