The voicemail arrived after midnight — Miley Cyrus listened to it over and over, trying to memorize Taylor Hawkins’ voice telling her she could “kill that one,” and when she finally shared it with the world months later, it revealed the kind of friendship that rarely makes headlines: not a collaboration deal or a co-sign, just one musician believing in another. This article separates the confirmed facts around Hawkins’ death from the lingering questions, and traces the bonds — with Dave Grohl, with Cyrus, with his family — that defined his life as much as his drumming did.
Age at death: 50 ·
Years with Foo Fighters: 24 ·
Number of children: 3 ·
Date of death: March 25, 2022
Quick snapshot
- Cause of death: polysubstance intoxication (Associated Press)
- Died March 25, 2022 in Bogotá, Colombia (BBC News)
- Member of Foo Fighters from 1997 to 2022 (Wikipedia)
- Married to Alison Hawkins with three children (Wikipedia)
- Exact last words haven’t been publicly confirmed (The Independent)
- Full toxicology report hasn’t been officially released (InsideHook)
- Whether legal action will be taken remains unknown (The Express Tribune)
- Specific circumstances of the hotel room aren’t fully explained (Associated Press)
- March 25, 2022 — died hours before Foo Fighters’ scheduled headline at Festival Estéreo Picnic (The Independent)
- March 29, 2022 — band canceled all upcoming shows (Wikipedia)
- September 2022 — tribute concert at Wembley Stadium (Yahoo Entertainment)
- 2026 — Rolling Stone published retrospective with Grohl’s reflections (Rolling Stone)
- Foo Fighters continue touring with new drummers but without a permanent replacement (Rolling Stone)
- Alison Hawkins and children maintain public legacy through tributes (Wikipedia)
- No final Colombian government document has closed the investigation definitively (The Express Tribune)
- Hawkins’ influence on rock drummers continues through archival releases (BBC News)
Nine key facts from Taylor Hawkins’ biography and death — one pattern: the official narrative is narrower than what public curiosity demands.
| Full name | Oliver Taylor Hawkins |
|---|---|
| Born | February 17, 1972 |
| Died | March 25, 2022 |
| Age at death | 50 |
| Occupation | Musician, drummer, vocalist |
| Spouse | Alison Hawkins (m. 2005) |
| Children | 3 (Oliver, Annabelle, Everleigh) |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Band | Foo Fighters (1997–2022) |
What was Taylor Hawkins’ cause of death?
Official cause of death statement
- Colombian authorities listed the cause of death as polysubstance intoxication, according to the Associated Press (tier 2 news outlet).
- The official statement from the Colombian Attorney General’s Office said preliminary toxicology tests found 10 psychoactive substances and medications in Hawkins’s urine (Associated Press).
- BBC News (tier 2 public broadcaster) reported that Colombian investigators said opioids, marijuana, and other drugs were found in his body.
The Colombian Attorney General’s Office said the National Institute of Legal Medicine continued investigating after the initial findings — meaning the first toxicology report was never intended as the final word (InsideHook).
Toxicology report findings
- An early report by InsideHook (tier 2 culture publication) said the toxicology showed traces of 10 different substances including benzodiazepines and opioids.
- As of 2025, no single definitive public document from Colombian authorities has confirmed a final, complete cause of death, according to The Express Tribune (tier 2 news outlet).
Speculation and rumors
- A March 2022 report from The Sun (tier 3 tabloid) said Hawkins had chest pain before his death — a claim that has not been confirmed by official sources.
- The toxicology narrative consistently centered on multiple substances rather than a single publicly confirmed cause in early reporting.
The catch: after three years, the public knows the broad category — polysubstance intoxication — but not the specific combination, the concentrations, or whether any single substance was primary.
Who is Taylor Hawkins to Miley Cyrus?
The voicemail Miley Cyrus shared
- In September 2022, Miley Cyrus shared a private voicemail from Hawkins on Instagram, telling TODAY (tier 2 lifestyle outlet) she had listened to it repeatedly.
- In the voicemail, Hawkins told Cyrus she could “kill that one” about a song he was listening to (TODAY).
Their musical collaborations
- Hawkins served as a close friend and mentor to Cyrus, according to her public statements after his death.
- Their friendship was built on mutual musical admiration rather than a formal business arrangement.
Tribute performances
- At the September 2022 tribute concert at Wembley Stadium, Cyrus performed with Joe Elliott of Def Leppard, as reported by Yahoo Entertainment (tier 2 news aggregator).
Why this matters: the voicemail became a proxy for how Hawkins treated rising talents — not as industry connections, but as peers he wanted to see succeed.
What did Dave Grohl say about Taylor Hawkins’ death?
Dave Grohl’s public tribute
- Dave Grohl called Hawkins his “brother” and “partner in crime” in public statements following the death.
- The Guardian (tier 2 newspaper) reported Grohl had referred to Hawkins as “the love of my life.”
- At the tribute concert, Grohl closed with “Everlong” and said “This one’s for Taylor. We love you” (Yahoo Entertainment).
Grohl’s choice to close the tribute concert with “Everlong” — a song about lasting connection — reinforced that Hawkins’ death was not just a professional loss but a deeply personal one.
Private statements from band members
- In a 2026 retrospective quoted by Rolling Stone (tier 2 music publication), Grohl said losing Hawkins “threw our world upside down.”
Impact on Foo Fighters
- Foo Fighters took an indefinite hiatus after Hawkins’ death, canceling all shows on March 29, 2022 (Wikipedia, tier 3 encyclopedia).
- The band eventually resumed touring with session drummers but has not appointed a permanent replacement.
The implication: Grohl’s language — calling his drummer “the love of my life” — signaled a personal devastation that went beyond a band losing a member.
What were Taylor Hawkins’ last words?
Known final communications
- No definitive record of Hawkins’ last words has been publicly confirmed, according to The Independent (tier 2 news outlet).
- Reports indicate he sent a text to his wife Alison before his death, though the content has not been shared publicly.
- The same report from The Independent cites Hawkins telling Grohl onstage, “I f***ing love Dave Grohl, man” — what might be his last public words.
Unanswered questions
- The question of Hawkins’ last spoken words remains a subject of public curiosity with no official resolution.
The trade-off: the public’s desire for a concrete “last words” narrative clashes with the family’s right to privacy — and the absence of an official statement means speculation fills the gap.
Who are Taylor Hawkins’ wife and son?
Alison Hawkins: his wife
- Taylor Hawkins married Alison Hawkins in 2005, according to Wikipedia (tier 3 encyclopedia).
- Alison released a statement after his death and has maintained his legacy through public appearances at tributes.
Oliver Shane Hawkins: his son
- The couple have three children: Oliver, Annabelle, and Everleigh (Wikipedia).
- Oliver performed drums at the September 2022 tribute concert, playing alongside the musicians who had worked with his father.
The pattern: Hawkins’ family has chosen controlled public visibility — appearing at key tributes while keeping private grief out of the press cycle.
“This one’s for Taylor. We love you.”
— Dave Grohl, closing words at the September 2022 Wembley tribute concert (Yahoo Entertainment)
“I f***ing love Dave Grohl, man.”
— Taylor Hawkins, speaking onstage to Dave Grohl, cited by The Independent
For fans hoping for clarity around Hawkins’ final moments, the picture is clear: the Colombian investigation remains technically open, the full toxicology report has never been released as a single definitive document, and the last words narrative relies on one recorded public moment — his stage declaration to Grohl. For the Hawkins family, the choice is equally sharp: continue public memorials, or retreat into private remembrance.
For a detailed look at the official cause and the band’s response, see Taylor Hawkins death and legacy.
Frequently asked questions
Did Taylor Hawkins have any other children besides his son?
Yes. Taylor Hawkins and his wife Alison had three children: Oliver Shane Hawkins, Annabelle Hawkins, and Everleigh Hawkins (Wikipedia).
What bands did Taylor Hawkins play in before Foo Fighters?
Before joining Foo Fighters in 1997, Hawkins was the tour drummer for Alanis Morissette’s 1995–1996 world tour (Wikipedia). He also played with the band Syzy and did session work.
How did Taylor Hawkins become the drummer of Foo Fighters?
Hawkins auditioned for Foo Fighters in 1997 after the band’s original drummer, William Goldsmith, left during recording sessions. He impressed Dave Grohl with his energy and skill and officially joined the band later that year (Wikipedia).
What songs did Taylor Hawkins sing lead vocals on?
Hawkins sang lead vocals on several Foo Fighters B-sides and album tracks, including “Cold Day in the Sun” from the 2005 album In Your Honor, and “Sunday Rain” from 2017’s Concrete and Gold (Wikipedia).
Was Taylor Hawkins ever married?
Yes, Taylor Hawkins was married to Alison Hawkins from 2005 until his death in 2022 (Wikipedia).
What is the legacy of Taylor Hawkins in rock music?
Hawkins is remembered for his explosive drumming style, his tenure with one of the most successful rock bands of the 2000s, and his close personal bonds with fellow musicians. His tribute concerts featured some of the biggest names in rock, and his voicemail to Miley Cyrus became a powerful symbol of behind-the-scenes mentorship (Rolling Stone).
How tall was Taylor Hawkins?
Taylor Hawkins was 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) tall.
What was Taylor Hawkins’ relationship with Alanis Morissette?
Hawkins was Alanis Morissette’s tour drummer during her 1995–1996 world tour, which helped build his reputation before joining Foo Fighters. They remained friendly after his departure (Wikipedia).
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Noah Gagnon is Senior Regional Reporter at Northern Focus, covering breaking stories and community-sourced tips across Canada.