RollingStone.comTom Petty's Cause of Death: Accidental OverdoseRollingStone.comTom Petty's cause of death has been revealed as an accidental overdose of prescribed medications. Credit: Dean Fardell/Barcroft Images/Getty Images. By Kory Grow. 5 hours ago. More News. See Keith Urban's New Year's Tribute to Tom Petty, Chris Cornell ...Tom Petty died of accidental drug overdose, medical examiner saysCNNTom Petty Died From Accidental Drug Overdose Involving Opioids, Coroner SaysNew York TimesTom Petty died of an accidental drug overdose.