Steve Harwell's health battles: Late singer's life was marred by Wernicke Encephalopathy and alcoholism
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Former Smash Mouth frontman Steve Harwell battled a long history of health complications including a neurological disorder called Wernicke Encephalopathy before his untimely death aged 56 on Monday, September 4.
Per the National Library of Medicine, an official website of the United States government, “Wernicke encephalopathy is an acute neurological condition characterized by a clinical triad of ophthalmoplegia, ataxia, and confusion.”
“This disease is caused by thiamine deficiency, which primarily affects the peripheral and central nervous systems,” it adds.
How did Steve Harwell die?
While the official cause of death is yet to be confirmed, Smash Mouth’s manager Robert Hayes shared that the cause of Harwell’s death was liver failure, reported Daily Mail.
TMZ reported on Sunday, September 3, that Steve Harwell, who had long been suffering from liver failure, was under hospice care in his home in Boise, Idaho surrounded by family members.
He was previously hospitalized because of liver failure stemming from years of alcoholism and substance abuse and was receiving treatment in the hospital for the same.
The representative noted that he was struggling with alcohol abuse throughout his life which led to the liver failure.
His condition worsened and he was shifted to hospice care before his death on Monday.
Steve Harwell’s history of health complications
Harwell, who was a pop culture icon with hit numbers like ‘All Star’ and ‘I'm a Believer’, was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy in 2013.
Per Mayo Clinic, “Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body.” The condition can also cause heart failure.
Harwell was known to take medication for the same.
While it is not known when exactly his alcohol abuse started, in 2013, the singer was also diagnosed with the neurological condition of Wernicke Encephalopathy, which greatly impacted his memory and speech.
In 2016, the rockstar collapsed on stage during a concert performance and had to be rushed to the hospital in an ambulance.
In 2017, Harwell had to be hospitalized again because of breathing difficulties during a concert sound check, per HITC.
The maestro, who propagated the idea of alternate rock music, retired from the band and performing live in 2021.
In his last concert in New York, Harwell was seen slurring words, using profanity, and purportedly giving a Nazi salute.
He told TMZ at the time, “Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a rockstar performing in front of sold-out arenas and have been so fortunate to live out that dream.”
He also told his supporters, “To our loyal and amazing fans, thank you, all of this was possible because of you. I’ve tried so hard to power through my physical and mental health issues and to play in front of you one last time, but I just wasn’t able to.”
