Crazy Town Frontman Shifty Shellshock’s Cause of Death Revealed

Three months after the death of Seth Binzer, better known as Shifty Shellshock, the frontman of Crazy Town, the Los Angeles Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed the cause of death as an accidental overdose. The toxicology report revealed the presence of fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine in his system. Binzer passed away at a Los Angeles residence on June 24, at the age of 49.

The news of Binzer’s death was first confirmed by Crazy Town’s manager, Howie Hubberman. He initially disclosed that the musician had overdosed, but further testing was required to confirm the cause of death. Hubberman expressed his regret over Binzer’s struggle with addiction, stating that despite their best efforts, they were unable to help him overcome his demons.

Binzer, who shot to fame with Crazy Town’s hit single ‘Butterfly,’ had a well-documented battle with substance abuse. He openly admitted to using cocaine and stimulants, and his struggles were chronicled on the reality TV shows “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew” and its follow-up series “Sober House” in 2009 and 2010.

Binzer is survived by his three children, Halo, Gage, and Phoenix, whom he had with three different women. His family described these children as his “proudest accomplishments.” Prior to his death, Binzer had been in a relationship with actress Soleil Moon Frye, known for her role in “Punky Brewster.” Following his death, she shared heartfelt messages and photos of them together on social media.

In a statement, Binzer’s family described him as a man who saw the world as art, with a deep love for music, fashion, graffiti, skateboarding, and his hometown of Los Angeles. They acknowledged his struggles with addiction, expressing their heartbreak over his loss and remembering him as a troubled but beautiful soul with a heart of gold.

Binzer, along with Bret “Epic” Mazur, formed Crazy Town in 1995. Their single “Butterfly” topped the US Billboard Hot 100 for two nonconsecutive weeks in 2000, catapulting the band to commercial success. However, their second album, “Darkhorse,” released in 2002, did not perform well, leading to the band’s breakup the following year. Despite this, Binzer and Mazur attempted to revive the group several times.

In an interview on “The Punk Rock MBA” podcast in March 2023, Binzer spoke candidly about his substance abuse issues and his desire to live a sober life. He acknowledged the challenges of changing his lifestyle, emphasizing the importance of finding inner peace and self-care. Less than a year before his death, Binzer had promised his bandmate Mike “Rebel” Raymo that he would detox and get sober, a promise he was sadly unable to fulfill.