U.S. soul legend Ike Turner died of a cocaine overdose, a Californian medical examiner has ruled.

An autopsy held in San Diego also said that cardiovascular disease and pulmonary emphysema contributed to his death last December.

Turner, who was 76, openly confessed to a history of drug abuse during a career which became tarnished by accusations that he was abusive to his wife, Tina Turner.

The couple, who married 1958, shared a formidable musical partnership before she claimed that their divorce in 1976 was due to his violent behaviour.

Turner said in his autobiography that he had spent upwards of $11 million on cocaine in the 1970s and 80s following his divorce from his wife.

Despite his damaged reputation, Turner won his second Grammy Award last year in the traditional blues album category.