Defense attorney discloses 2012 incident during cross-examination of ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura
In a stunning revelation during the high-profile sex trafficking trial of Sean “Diddy” Combs, defense attorney Anna Estevao disclosed that the disgraced music mogul suffered a serious overdose on painkillers in February 2012.
The bombshell came Thursday afternoon during the cross-examination of Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, Combs’ former girlfriend and the prosecution’s key witness in the New York trial.
Overdose followed drug-fueled party night
When questioned about the incident, Ventura asked, “Was that around the time Whitney Houston died?” She then recounted the events leading up to the medical emergency.
According to Ventura’s testimony, she and Combs had participated in what she called a “freak-off” — one of Combs’ drug-fueled sex parties — before visiting a sex club in San Bernardino, California. Following these activities, Combs hosted another gathering at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles, after which Ventura returned home.
“That night, Mr. Combs told Ms. Ventura he took a ‘very strong opiate,'” prompting her to take him to the hospital, where she learned he had overdosed on painkillers.
Drug use central to relationship dynamics
The substance abuse patterns of both Combs and Ventura emerged as a central theme during Thursday’s proceedings. Estevao directly asked Ventura, “You were both addicts, right?”
Throughout the trial, Ventura has spoken candidly about her previous dependence on opioids and her use of various substances including MDMA, ecstasy, ketamine, mushrooms, cocaine, and marijuana. She testified that she entered rehabilitation in 2023 and has remained drug-free since.
Ventura described how she and Combs consumed substantial amounts of drugs both independently and together, during “freak-offs” and other occasions. She added that Combs became angry when she used drugs with friends rather than with him, and at one point even instructed Los Angeles drug dealers not to sell to her — an effort she said proved unsuccessful.
Defense attorney’s questioning draws scrutiny
Estevao’s cross-examination got off to a rocky start, with the attorney frequently withdrawing her own questions and attempting to introduce exhibits that had not yet been properly admitted as evidence, causing brief procedural disputes.
Throughout the questioning, which jumped erratically across the timeline of the couple’s relationship, Ventura maintained her composure. Dressed in a white blouse beneath a black blazer with shoulder pads and peaked lapels, she responded calmly despite often appearing confused by the disjointed chronology of Estevao’s inquiries.
At one point, Estevao herself acknowledged the disorganized nature of her questioning, admitting, “I know I’m all over the place.”
The trial continues tomorrow with further testimony expected from additional witnesses as prosecutors build their case against the once-celebrated music industry titan.
