Temptations star dies at HUP over weekend

An hour of emergency efforts by doctors at HUP failed to revive the singer, who was an original member of the 1960's group The Temptations. After becoming ill from smoking ten vials of crack with a friend early Saturday morning, Ruffin was transported to HUP from a 52nd Street West Philadelphia crack house by the driver of a stretch limousine which Ruffin and the friend had borrowed for the evening. The case is now being handled by the Philadelphia Medical Examiner's office. While still awaiting results of additional toxicology tests, the medical examiner has labeled Ruffin's death an accident arising from an "adverse reaction to cocaine." According to HUP spokesperson Rebecca Harmon, the hospital's ability to deal with the national media attention generated by Ruffin's death was tested by the unusual circumstances surrounding Ruffin's death. HUP's policies regarding the release of patient information contributed to the confusion. "He was like a John Doe to us," Harmon said Monday. New questions have since surfaced about a missing $40,000 Ruffin was reportedly carrying on the night of his death. According to police, Ruffin was carrying only $53 when he arrived at the hospital. Neither the friend Ruffin smoked crack with nor the driver of the limousine that transported Ruffin to HUP has been charged with any crime, after police questioning. Ruffin was the baritone lead singer for the Temptations in the 1960s, and had continued to record and perform with original members of the group up until his death. Ruffin had lived in Philadelphia since 1989.

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