Plain and simple, Jackson Browne is a modern music legend. His soulful singing and songwriting rightfully landed him in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. However, some of the headlines he made lately have to do with an epic personal tragedy. Browne's son, Ethan, a model and actor, died at the age of 52 in Culver City, California on November 25, 2025.
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Per Us Weekly, he "was found unresponsive in his bedroom by his roommate" early that morning. Now, the Los Angeles Medical Examiner's report has been released. It discloses some painful details surrounding Ethan Browne's death.
Drug Paraphernalia Was Allegedly Discovered Near Browne's Body
Per the outlet, presumably quoting from the report, "a glass pipe with crystalline substance and brown residue along with a burnt piece of aluminum foil were found on the nightstand" in close proximity to Ethan Browne's body. Additionally, there were "multiple prescription medications," "vaping devices" in the words of Us Weekly, plus "whip-it" cartridges.
Furthermore, a box on Browne's bed allegedly had in it "illicit drugs and paraphernalia."
The evening prior, Ethan Browne's roommate reportedly said that he "seemed off" and could have been "under the influence of drugs." Months ago, in January, the medical examiner declared that Ethan Browne died accidentally from "effects of fentanyl, methamphetamine and lidocaine."
The Announcement of Ethan Browne's Death Was Made on His Father's Facebook the Next Day
That announcement is no longer visible on Jackson Browne's Facebook. However, per Us Weekly, it reportedly said, "It is with deep sorrow that we share that on the morning of November 25, 2025, Ethan Browne, the son of Jackson Browne and Phyllis Major, was found unresponsive in his home and passed away. We ask for privacy and respect for the family during this difficult time. No further details are available at this moment."
Phyllis Major, Ethan's mother, tragically took her own life in 1976. She was 30 years old.
Jackson Browne Is a Towering Figure in the Rock Music World
Browne, 77, has experienced great sadness and loss in his life, Nevertheless, he has kept writing and performing, burnishing his reputation even more. Songs like "Running on Empty" and "Rock Me on the Water" are an acute and accurate expression of their time. Yet they and many other classic Browne tracks are also eternally timeless.
