By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — The cause of death for a former Police Sgt. John Burdick, 46, and neighbor James McEwen, 45, was ruled a drug overdose for both men.
“Burdick’s death was ruled an accident with a toxic mix of cocaine and fentanyl found in his system, and McEwen’s toxicology results was still pending,” said Ryan Bridges, spokesman for the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office June 11.
Police were called to a house in the 8500 block of Lochdale Street about 9:15 a.m. May 15 when the homeowner discovered the two bodies in her garage.
Paramedics were called to the scene where the two men were pronounced dead.
McEwen lived at the house with his girlfriend, the homeowner, and Burdick lived on the same block of Lochdale.
Burdick was off duty at the time.
Michigan State Police took over the investigation because the case involved a police officer.
Burdick was promoted to sergeant in April after working with the department for 18 years.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected])