Martin was found dead in his Tampa, Florida apartment on March 13, 2009, four days prior to his 34th birthday. Police were contacted after a neighbor reportedly realized Martin had been motionless on his couch for some time, seeing him through a window outside Martin's apartment, prompting the neighbor to call 911. Authorities retrieved Martin's body after scaling his balcony and confirming that he was indeed dead. Toxicology reports revealed that Martin's death was caused by an accidental overdose of the prescription pain medication oxycodone. It had been reported that in August 2008, Martin had entered a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in West Palm Beach, Florida after reaching out to WWE, his former employer, for help regarding his substance abuse troubles. It was later determined by forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu that Martin had severe chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a brain condition caused by repeated concussions and subconcussive head injuries that can cause severe headaches, mood swings, depression, and/or aggressive behavior. Fellow Canadian wrestler and one of Martin's idols, Chris Benoit, also suffered from CTE before his death in June 2007, and it was determined to be a factor in the Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide. Martin's body was cremated and his remains were flown to his family in his hometown of Whitby, Ontario.