Austin Artist 'Hella Sketchy' Dead At 18 From Drug Overdose

AUSTIN, TX — Austin rap artist Jacob Tyler Thureson — better known to his fans as Hella Sketchy — recently died from a drug overdose at the age of 18, his father confirmed on social media.

The musician died early Thursday on June 27, his father, Erik Thureson, confirmed on Twitter. The elder Thureson said his son was found unresponsive on June 13th from an apparent drug overdose before being rushed to an emergency room. The artist had been in a coma for 14 days.

“Never in a million years would I have imagined that it would end like this,” Erik said in a series of tweets. The grieving father urged his son’s fans to recognize the impact of the opioid crisis across the U.S.: “The opioid epidemic does not discriminate,” he wrote. “The conversation regarding drugs, depression, mental illness, social media, needs to be happening more openly without judgment and stigma.”

Despite his youth, the artist's father continued, the musician impacted numerous lives: “Jacob’s life was not and will not be in vain. Jacob touched many lives. He had so many praying. There was unity from people of all backgrounds with 1 hope for Jacob to pull through. We don’t understand why but we do know that no matter what God is still good & we praise him.”

A Go Fund Me campaign has been launched to offset medical costs. At last check, $14,543 had been raised toward a $100,000 goal.

APG/Atlantic Records released a statement upon learning of the artist's death: "The tragic passing of Hella Sketchy is a devastating loss. He was an enormously creative, sensitive soul with a brilliant sense of humor. He was just beginning to show the world his talent and originality, and it’s heartbreaking that such a bright future has been cut short. Everyone at APG and Atlantic sends our deepest condolence to his family, friends and fans.”

Jacob rose to popularity on Soundcloud, where he has more than 22,000 followers. He released his debut album, titled Hella Sketchy, earlier this year.

If you or someone you know is in need of help out of drug addiction, contact the SAMHSA substance abuse helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

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