SANTA CRUZ >> Shawn “Barney” Barron, the 44-year-old Santa Cruz surfer hailed for his innovative surfing and frequent volunteer work, died from a rupture in his heart facilitated by methamphetamine use, according to the Santa Cruz County coroner.

Barron collapsed and died at his home on Dufour Street on May 5, Santa Cruz police said. An autopsy and toxicology tests showed the cause was cardiac tamponade due to hemopericardium, said Santa Cruz County sheriff’s detective Nick Baldridge. In simpler terms, a rupture in the aorta of Barron’s heart caused a sac to fill with blood and restrict the heart’s movement, authorities said.

“A cause of that was acute and chronic methamphetamine use,” said Baldridge.

Barron had 20 nanograms of meth per milliliter of blood, which is not a large amount, according to Baldridge. That’s not considered a drug overdose. Baldridge said Barron apparently used meth close to the time he died or used a “decent” amount of it before then and it remained in his system.

Staying clear of illegal drugs is “a constant battle” for many people, Baldridge said. He expressed sympathy for Barron and his family, as did many of Barron’s friends who were saddened by Barron’s death and his creative life cut short.

Methamphetamine gives users an euphoric rush, according to the National Institutes of Health, but it also has been associated with a list of potential health problems. They range from skin sores and severe dental problems to irregular heartbeat, anxiety, confusion, increased risk of stroke and irreversible brain damage.

Barron was a pro surfer who faced some of the world’s largest waves at Maverick’s, near Half Moon Bay. He was also an artist who gave away his paintings and volunteered for years with the Mauli Ola Foundation and Operation Surf. Those groups introduce surfing to children with cystic fibrosis and to wounded military veterans, respectively.

Barron’s father, Mike Barron of Chino Hills, said Thursday that genetics also played a role in his son’s death. Mike Barron said his grandfather was 46 when he died and his father was 43.

“I have a history of heart problems, quite frankly,” Barron said. “He was not a drug addict. He could have died surfing or riding a bike. The heart attack was coming.”

Brenna Darcey, Shawn Barron’s girlfriend and who lived with him for the past few years, said Barron “was not a regular drug user at all.” He also was coping with the recent loss of his mother, she said.

Darryl “Flea” Virostko, a lifelong friend of Barron’s who rose to surfing fame with him in the 1990s, noted that Barron had spent the day of his death clearing weeds from a dusty property in Bonny Doon. His heart rate likely was up from the hard work, and he coughed much of the way home.

“Certain parts of your life are harder than others. Barney was just getting through it,” said Virostko, who runs a sober living environment in Live Oak called Fleahab. “It’s just difficult. I don’t want that (meth use) to even come out about Barney. He’s my friend.”

Virostko said, “Barney was just an amazing person in all different ways. He never would get mad. He was full of talent. He brought people together.”

A memorial was held for Barron May 10 at the lighthouse at Steamer Lane in which hundreds attended. His ashes were spread at a separate paddle-out at Mitchell’s Cove on May 23.

Santa Cruz Mayor Don Lane also declared May 5, 2015 as “Shawn Barney Barron Day” in his memory.