Ex-Cowboys RB Marion Barber III died of heat stroke, authorities say

July 12 (UPI) -- Officials have determined that heat stroke was the cause of death of former Dallas Cowboys star Marion Barber III last month, authorities said Tuesday.

Police said last month that they found Barber, 38, dead when they conducted a welfare check on June 1 at an apartment in Frisco, Texas. Frisco Police Department officer Grant Cottingham told UPI that Barber's death was ruled an accident.

An autopsy report from the Collin County office of the medical examiner, obtained Tuesday by UPI, also confirmed that Barber's death was an accident.

The report said that Barber was found inside a shower without the water running, while another shower was running inside the residence. The heat was on at the residence, where the thermostat was set at 91 degrees.

"I am of the opinion that Marion Sylvester Barber III, a 38-year-old male, died of heat stroke," county medical examiner William Rohr said in the report. "Mr. Barber was known to exercise in sauna-like conditions."

Rohr said he found diphenhydramine and ethanol inside Barber's bile. He said that the ethanol "is [probably] the result of decomposition." Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine used to treat symptoms of the common cold.

"Diphenhydramine concentration in the bile indicated use of the medication and cannot be related to overuse," Rohr said. "Its use is associated with increased risk for heat related illnesses."

Born in Plymouth, Minn., Barber attended the University of Minnesota and joined the Cowboys as a fourth-round pick in the 2005 NFL Draft.

The seven-year NFL veteran spent his first six seasons with the Cowboys -- and totaled a 16 touchdowns, a career high, 1,257 yards and 12 scores en route to his lone Pro Bowl selection in 2007.

Barber spent 2011, his final season, with the Chicago Bears before retiring in 2012.

Barber's family, friends and former teammates attended a celebration of life June 22 at Huntington Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens was among the speakers at the ceremony.