The official cause of death was determined to be acute ethanolism (alcohol poisoning), and Davidson County Medical Examiner Charles Harlan stated that his blood alcohol level was 0.47 (the equivalent of 20 1-ounce shots of 100-proof whiskey and almost five times the then Tennessee level of 0.10 legal driving limit, and nearly six times the current 0.08 legal limit to drive). Whitley was 34 years of age (he was actually born in 1954 per his birth certificate and passport; RCA and his tombstone erroneously record his birth year as 1955).—Carlin, Richard (2003). – "Country Music: A Biographical Dictionary". – New York: Routledge – p.427. – .—Larkin, Colin (1995). – "The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music". – New York: Stockton Press – P.4462. – .—Stanton, Scott (2003). – "The Tombstone Tourist: Musicians". – New York: Pocket Books. – p.395. – .—Hicks, Jack. – "Singer Keith Whitley's Memory Alive Through Songs, Love in Home Town". – "The Kentucky Post". – September 25, 1991.—"Country Music Star Keith Whitley Dead at 33". – "Lexington Herald-Leader". – May 10, 1989.—Hurst, Jack. – "Whitley's Last Days". – "Chicago Tribune". – May 14, 1989.—"Alcohol Kills Country Singer Keith Whitley". – United Press International. – (c/o "The San Francisco Chronicle"). – May 10, 1989.</ref>