Cocaine, Meth Contributed to Centerfold Dirk Shafer's Death

Drugs were at least partially responsible for the death of Dirk Shafer, a former Playgirl Man of the Year who later came out as gay and directed two critically acclaimed films.

Cocaine and methamphetamine were found in the 52-year-old's system, according to the Los Angeles Times. Shafer, who was found dead in West Hollywood March 5, also suffered from hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

After becoming Playgirl's 1992 Man of the Year, Shafer came out publicly and directed a well-received fictional documentary titled Man of the Year. In 2001 he directed the film Circuit, about the drug-infused gay circuit scene. Shafer later became a trainer to the stars.

Read The Advocate's 1995 cover story on Shafer here.