internal factor that causes the body to shut down, such as cancer, heart disease or diabetes. It means there was no external reason for the death, such as a traumatic injury.
Death certificates almost always include more details about specifically how the body failed, such as heart disease or kidney failure, even if it is only the best guess of the coroner (a trained official) or medical examiner (a doctor) charged with investigating the death.
“When a medical examiner fills out a death certificate, it’s their medical opinion based on all their experience and training that this is what happening,” said Dr. David R. Fowler, president of the National Association of Medical Examiners.
There is only a small section on most death certificates where doctors check a box to indicate the “manner of death” as natural, accident, suicide, homicide or “undetermined.” There is a more involved section for “cause of death.” It’s here where doctors are required to try to specify the immediate cause of death, along with the underlying condition that led up to it, and how long before death they occurred.
Fellow comedian and comedy writer Chris Spencer issued a statement mourning his best friend. “Our closely knit comedy community mourns the loss of one of the greatest to ever do it. He was admired by his peers, respected by other veterans, and looked up to by the burgeoning comedians that he mentored. He will be deeply missed, especially by his comedy fraternity.”