David Cassidy ("Keith Partridge") multiple organ failure

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not an impossible thing, for sure. David claimed his father's ghost visited him once after a show. I believe him.

Cassidy died of liver failure a few months later at the age of 67 in November 2017.

Fans of the singer quietly mourned him. How tragic it seemed that he finally overcame a lifelong struggle with alcohol, only to have his final days tormented by the very same dementia that ran rampantly through the rest of his family.

As it turns out, however, he hadn’t overcome his struggle with alcohol — not at all. And his dementia was neither related to a disease like Alzheimer’s nor was it permanent. Instead, it was a temporary condition brought on by his alcoholism, a different devastating disease.

In an upcoming documentary from A&E called “David Cassidy: The Last Session,” Cassidy admitted that he was still drinking.

After suffering from severe memory problems and being rushed to the hospital from a recording studio, Cassidy spoke with A&E producer Saralena Weinfield to explain what happened. She recorded the phone call, which has been edited into the documentary.

“I have a liver disease,” Cassidy said, admitting that “there is no sign of me having dementia at this stage of my life. It was complete alcohol poisoning.”

This might seem like a surprising revelation, given that publicly Cassidy had maintained that he was dry. The singer addressed this, as well.

“And the fact is that I lied about my drinking,” he said. “The head doctor at the hospital, she said, ‘I believe your dementia was directly related to your alcoholism.’ ”

Then, his voice began to crack as he tried to explain himself.

I did it to myself, man,” he said. “I did this to myself to cover up the sadness and the emptiness.”

The documentary producers reportedly debated whether to show the footage and posthumously reveal Cassidy’s dark secret. In the end, though, the network decided that was the best way to honor him.

“I think it will strike a chord with people,” producer John Marks told People. “He wanted to share this very private part of his life, and to be honest once and for all. And I think he succeeded in doing that.”

... As it turns out, however, he hadn’t overcome his struggle with alcohol — not at all. And his dementia was neither related to a disease like Alzheimer’s nor was it permanent. Instead, it was a temporary condition brought on by his alcoholism, a different devastating disease...

what was he so sad and empty about?

I know his father had suffered from severe depression. That, and dementia, seems to have been hereditary.

I wonder if his dad's dementia was alky-related as well? at least david didn't die as horrible a death as his dad did.

Sorry to hear that. My dad, who had died of renal failure, had drifted into a state of dementia as his kidneys failed.

hopefully it was a mercifully quick stage and not agonizingly lingering.

I wish I could say it was quick.