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Official cause of death for Julia Robert’s half sister to take weeks

Actress Julia Roberts introduces the Beatles anniversary performance on stage for the 56th Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
(Frederic J. Brown / AFP/Getty Images)
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Though the family of Julia Roberts confirmed in a statement the Oscar-winning actress’ half sister was found dead last weekend of “an apparent drug overdose,” authorities say it will take weeks for toxicology results to come back.

Nancy Motes, 37, was found dead by a friend about 2 p.m. Sunday in the bathtub of a Westside home on North Bundy Drive.

Law enforcement officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said some type of drug overdose may have been a factor in the death, citing medications of various types that were taken from the home as evidence.

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In a statement to People magazine, the family confirmed Motes was found dead “of an apparent drug overdose,” and they are “both shocked and devastated.”

After conducting an initial exam, officials with the Los Angeles County coroner’s office said Tuesday further toxicology tests are needed to determine how Motes died and that it probably will take two months or more to get the results.

Law Angeles police, meanwhile, have said there is no evidence of foul play.

ari.bloomekatz@latimes.com

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Twitter: @aribloomekatz

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