California Attorney General Jerry Brown says the death of actor Corey Haim appears to be connected to a prescription drug ring operating in the state.

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Brown said Friday during an investigation into prescription pad purchases from a San Diego vendor, authorities uncovered a prescription for the painkiller OxyContin made out to the "Lost Boys" star, E! Online reported.

Brown said individuals were purchasing the prescription pads from the vendor through the use of stolen doctors' identities.

"Corey Haim's death is yet another tragedy linked to the growing problem of prescription-drug abuse," Brown said. "This problem is increasingly linked to criminal organizations, like the illegal and massive prescription-drug ring under investigation. It's a serious public health problem."

E! Online said while investigators did not locate any illegal drugs in Haim's apartment following his death Wednesday, they did locate four prescriptions in his name.

Haim's mother, Judy, says she learned her 38-year-old son died of pulmonary congestion.