Rick James' death remains mystery

Rick James was found dead at his home on Friday

Funk legend Rick James' death remains a mystery after a post-mortem examination failed to determine the cause.

James, 56, died in his sleep on Friday at his home near Universal City, in Los Angeles.

His three children, daughter Ty and sons Rick Jr. and Tazman, said they believed he died of heart failure.

David Smith, investigator of the Los Angeles County coroner's office, told the Associated Press agency they were awaiting results of a toxicology test.

Mr Smith said it could be several weeks before the results were known.

The singer, who was diabetic and had a pacemaker, also had a history of cocaine addiction that led him to two assault convictions in the 1990s and a two-year stretch in prison.

James was best known for his 1981 hit Super Freak, which was sampled by MC Hammer on 1990 hit U Can't Touch This.