The Boulder County Coroner’s Office announced on Thursday evening that Eric Chase Bolling, the son of former Fox News personality Eric Bolling, died from an accidental drug overdose.

The coroner ruled that Eric Chase Bolling, 19, died on Sept. 8 from a combination of cocaine and fentanyl, and stated that his death was accidental, according to an autopsy report released on Thursday evening.

The 19-year-old studied economics and was a member of a fraternity at the University of Colorado Boulder. His body was found in an apartment on the 900 block of 28th Street on Sept. 8.

Fentanyl is a powerful opioid painkiller that is about 50 times stronger than heroin and caused the death of musician Prince in 2016. Fentanyl is a synthetic drug that has legitimate medical uses but has been blamed in a recent surge of overdose deaths. Much of it is manufactured illegally, and that which is legally made is tightly controlled by the Food and Drug Administration.

Toxicology tests conducted on Eric Chase Bolling also noted the presence of THC, the psychoactive compound present in marijuana, as well as caffeine and alprazolam, an anti-anxiety medication commonly known as Xanax.

The autopsy report also stated that Bolling had a history of drug abuse and a white powdery substance was found at the scene of his death, although the report does not specify what the powdery substance was.

Eric Bolling announced on Twitter on Thursday afternoon that his son died from an accidental drug overdose that included opioids.

“Just received some tragic news from Coroner in Colorado,” Bolling wrote on Twitter. “Eric Chase’s passing has been ruled an accidental overdose that included opioids.

“Adrienne and I thank you for your continued prayers and support,” he continued in a second tweet. “We must fight against this national epidemic, too many innocent victims.”

Eric Bolling announced earlier this month that the coroner’s office believed the death of his son was accidental and not a suicide. He issued the statement as a rebuke of former Fox News host Bill O’Reilly’s claim to The New York Times that Eric Chase died because of sexual harassment allegations leveled against his father.

Eric Bolling had been suspended since August over allegations he sent lewd photos to female coworkers. Fox News announced in September that it had parted ways with Bolling. He had worked at Fox for about 10 years.

“I believe it is beyond inappropriate for anyone to bring in the tragic death of my son Eric Chase Bolling,” Bolling said. “My parting from Fox News was in no way connected to the tragic news of my son’s passing.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

John Bear: 303-473-1355, bearj@dailycamera.com or twitter.com/johnbearwithme