Coroner says Phyllis Hyman used sleeping pills to commit suicide; new LP due out soon

While the coroner's office was releasing information on the cause of death of sultry singer Phyllis Hyman, record company executives were preparing to release an album she was working on when she committed suicide (JET, July 24).

Ms. Hyman, a popular R&B/jazz singer who gained acclaim with such hits as Betcha By Golly Wow, Somewhere in my Lifetime, I Don't Want To Lose You and The Answer Is You, died after overdosing on sleeping pills, according to a report released by the New York City Medical Examiner's office.

Ellen Borakove, a spokesperson for the office, said the cause of death was listed as an intentional overdose of pentobarbital and secobarbital (sleeping pills). Ms. Hyman, was found unconscious in her New York apartment, and died less than two hours later at St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center.

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In the meantime, acclaimed producer Kenny Gamble, who was working with Ms. Hyman on her as yet untitled album at the time of her death, and other Philadelphia International execs, are working feverishly to release the album.

At JET press time, industry insiders speculated that a single from the album would be released this month with the completed product scheduled to come out by the end of the year.

As fans anxiously anticipate the release, WCLK radio personality Ken Batie in Atlanta told the Atlanta Journal, "The sad thing is this will probably be her biggest seller."

Batie added, "She probably didn't know how much she was appreciated."