from TMZ


Former Alice in Chains bassist Mike Starr died in Utah ... TMZ has learned.

Starr appeared on the third season of "Celebrity Rehab" back in 2009 -- and was arrested last month for felony possession of a controlled substance. Salt Lake City cops say he had 6 Xanax pills and 6 Opana (painkiller) pills when he was busted.

Starr was 44 years old.

Mike's dad tells TMZ, "It's a terrible shock and tragedy."

http://www.tmz.com/2011/03/08/mike-starr...ion-painkiller/