Medical examiner says Stacey King died of hypertension
The official cause of death for former Chicago Bulls star and longtime broadcaster Stacey King has been determined, nearly two months after his sudden passing. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that King died from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, a form of heart disease linked to long-term high blood pressure, with obesity listed as a contributing factor. The manner of death was ruled natural.
King, 59, was found dead at his home in River Forest, Illinois, on June 7. Initial reports had indicated he suffered a fall, but the medical examiner's findings clarify that the underlying heart condition was responsible for his death.
A three-time NBA champion, King was a cornerstone of the Bulls' first championship dynasty. Drafted sixth overall in 1989 out of the University of Oklahoma, he joined a roster led by Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, helping the team secure three consecutive titles from 1991 to 1993. Known for his energy and larger-than-life personality, King played five seasons in Chicago before continuing his career with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics, Dallas Mavericks, and Miami Heat, retiring after eight seasons in the league.