Reno mayoral candidate died of accidental overdose

Associated Press

Wednesday, May 7, 2014 | 8:43 a.m.

Authorities say a 48-year-old Reno man who was running for mayor died of an accidental drug overdose.

The Washoe County Medical Examiner's office said Tuesday that Tony Perri's official cause of death was "methadone toxicity."

Perri was one of 20 candidates who had filed to run for Reno mayor when he was found dead in his apartment on Lake Street on April 14.

Methadone is prescribed to relieve pain and can be used to treat withdrawal symptoms from opiate drugs.

Perri told the Reno Gazette-Journal earlier this year that he had battled a past cocaine addiction but had been sober for a decade. He intended to focus his campaign on improving arts and entertainment in Reno.