Sean “Diddy” Combs overdosed on painkillers in February 2012, according to his lawyer, who made the revelation during Combs’ ongoing sex trafficking trial in New York.
The incident was brought up by defense attorney Anna Estevao during the cross-examination of Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, Combs’ former girlfriend and the trial’s key witness. Estevao asked Ventura if she recalled Combs’ overdose, to which Ventura responded, “Was that around the time Whitney Houston died?”
Ventura described the events leading up to the overdose, saying the two had attended a “freak-off” — one of Combs’ drug-fueled sex parties — and then went to a sex club in San Bernardino, California. Later, Combs hosted a party at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles while Ventura went home. That night, Combs told her he had taken “a very strong opiate,” prompting her to take him to the hospital, where she discovered he had overdosed.
Drug use by both Ventura and Combs was a focal point of the first day of cross-examination. Estevao directly asked Ventura, “You were both addicts, right?” Ventura acknowledged her past drug dependence, which included opioids, MDMA, ecstasy, ketamine, mushrooms, cocaine, marijuana, and others. She testified that she entered rehab in 2023 and has remained drug-free since.
Ventura claimed the couple used drugs together regularly and that Combs became angry if she took drugs without him. She also testified that Combs instructed drug dealers in Los Angeles not to sell to her, though this measure was ineffective.
Estevao’s performance in court was initially disorganized, withdrawing questions and introducing exhibits that had not been admitted into evidence. Despite this, Ventura remained composed, though she was sometimes confused by Estevao’s erratic timeline of questioning. At one point, Estevao admitted, “I know I’m all over the place.”
Later in the session, the defense began to challenge Ventura’s credibility, pointing out minor inconsistencies in her testimony, particularly around whether she witnessed or heard certain acts of violence. When Ventura responded, “I don’t remember,” to several questions, Estevao implied that Ventura’s drug use had impaired her memory, a claim Ventura denied.
To portray Ventura as a consenting participant in the couple’s sexual activities, the defense introduced text messages from their 11-year relationship. One 2010 message from Combs read, “I love you sooooo much it makes me cry.” Ventura replied, “Who was I before we decided to be together? … I’m so happy that we fell in love.”
The defense also highlighted texts where Ventura appeared to initiate sexual encounters, including a 2009 message: “I’m always ready for an F/O.” Many of the messages were explicit and not read aloud in court.
Earlier testimony from Ventura claimed she took part in “hundreds” of “freak-offs” out of love for Combs, despite often expressing reluctance. She accused Combs of abusing her during some of these events, including physical violence. Her claims were supported by testimony from male escort Daniel Phillip, who said he saw Combs hit Ventura and drag her across the floor.
Defense lawyers argue that the alleged violence stemmed from a tumultuous relationship marked by mutual drug use and infidelity. Combs has denied all charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering. If convicted, he faces a possible life sentence.
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