Autopsy report: ‘Miami cannibal’ was not high on bath salts

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The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner reported on Wednesday that the so-called “Causeway cannibal” had not ingested any synthetic drugs before tearing off a homeless man’s face with his teeth.

Rudy Eugene was shot dead by police after he was found eating another naked man’s face on the MacArthur Causeway in Miami. Police had claimed Eugene was overdosing on synthetic stimulants sold under the name “bath salts.” The media quickly picked up on the story and news outlets have since blamed other attacks on the drug.

But the toxicology report released Wednesday did not find evidence that Eugene had ingested any psychoactive substance besides marijuana. Whether Eugene was high on marijuana at the time of the attack is unclear because of the length of time marijuana can remain detectable in the human body.

“The department has also sought the assistance of an outside forensic toxicology reference laboratory, which has confirmed the absence of ‘bath salts,’ synthetic marijuana and LSD,” the report said. “Within the limits of current technology by both laboratories, marijuana is the only drug identified in the body of Mr. Rudy Eugene.”

Eugene’s victim is expected to recover, despite losing nearly 80 percent of his face.

On Tuesday, the Senate passed legislation that outlaws 26 drugs, including synthetic stimulants like “bath salts” and synthetic alternatives to marijuana like “K2″ and “Spice.”

“This ban can’t come quickly enough,” Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said. “Just about every day, there’s a new tragedy related to K2 or bath salts. The sooner this poison is off the store shelves, the better. I hope the president will sign this measure into law very quickly.”