Editor’s Note: This report was updated on May 18th, 2021 to include an official statement shared by the family of i_o.
Nearly six months after the tragic passing of Garrett Lockhart, who to friends, fans, and fellow artists was affectionately known as i_o, the cause of death of the beloved techno producer was revealed to have been a result of natural causes.
The Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner’s report listed a thyroid condition called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, an autoimmune disorder that causes chronic inflammation of the thyroid gland. The report also notes that Lockhart died at his home.
The news of Lockhart’s death in November 2020 sent the EDM community reeling—a phenomenon that continues to this day.
Following the news, the industry effectively banded together to pay tribute to the late electronic music producer and DJ, who Insomniac founder Pasquale Rotella called a “beautiful soul” at the time. REZZ, deadmau5, NGHTMRE, and many more of Lockhart’s contemporaries shared heartfelt tributes in the wake of his passing.
Lockhart’s family shared a statement confirming the coroner’s office’s report, noting that he “had a sudden and fatal arrythmia.”
“After 5 months of testing, the conclusion is that, while Garrett did suffer from depression and anxiety, he did not take his own life,” the statement reads. “It is our hope that Garrett’s premature death can be used to create and normalize conversations surrounding mental health issues, realizing there may be underlying disease of conditions requiring medical attention.”
The team at EDM.com expresses our sincere condolences to the family, friends, fans and loved ones of Garrett Lockhart.