According to TMZ, former ALICE IN CHAINS bass player Mike Starr was "mixing" methadone and anxiety medication hours before he died, according to Starr's roommate.

The roommate tells TMZ, Starr had been using methadone recently in an effort to get sober, but he had also been taking medication to battle anxiety issues he had been suffering from since his arrest last month.

Starr was "mixing" the meds Monday night just hours before he died. Starr's roommate added, "Mike was a beautiful person who was fighting to stay sober. I am going to miss him greatly."

Artisan News Service has posted an audio statement from Sgt. Shawn Josephson of the Salt Lake City Police Department, in regards to the passing of Mike Starr. Listen in the YouTube clip below:

Alice In Chains issued the following brief statement regarding the death of Starr, who died at the age of 44 in his Salt Lake City, Utah home earlier yesterday afternoon (March 8th) at 1:42 PM.

"Jerry (Cantrell) and Sean (Kinney) are mourning the loss of their friend and ask that the media respect their privacy - and the privacy of the Starr family - during this difficult time. Their thoughts and prayers are with the Starr family."

According to The Salt Lake Tribune, police do not suspect foul play in the death of Starr.

The medical examiner's office will likely conduct an autopsy today says Reuters, but the results of toxicology tests could take up to two months.

Starr appeared on Alice In Chains' most successful albums including the band's debut Facelift (1990), Sap (1992) and Dirt (1992). Starr later played bass for the band SUN RED SUN, which featured Ray Gillen and Bobby Rondinelli, both former members of BLACK SABBATH. The project was cut short by Gillen's death in 1993.

Starr appeared on the third season of Celebrity Rehab back in 2009 - and was arrested last month for felony possession of a controlled substance. Salt Lake City cops say he had 6 Xanax pills and 6 Opana (painkiller) pills when he was busted.