Ever since news of the death of former punk rock band manager Malcolm McLaren broke late last week, journalists and music fans alike have been wondering how McLaren developed the rare cancer that ultimately took his life. Mesothelioma is caused almost exclusively by exposure to asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral that was used in decades past to create insulation or fireproofing materials.

Now, those closest to McLaren say that he likely was exposed to asbestos at his fashion and clothing store. In addition to managing the legendary band the Sex Pistols, McLaren also ran his store during the 1970s. According to longtime girlfriend/partner Young Kim, renovations at McLaren’s retail store could have caused asbestos particles to become airborne.

"Malcolm…broke open the ceiling to make it look like a bomb had hit it," she said. "I always suspected that shop because it was the only place Malcolm ever really spent any serious length of time in, and there was a lot of construction and changing things…It was board asbestos and it was in the early 70s, so there was a lot of it left and I don’t think anyone really did anything about it.”

Kim also told reporters that initially doctors failed to correctly diagnosed McLaren’s cancer.

"Malcolm was freaked out," she said. "He called me up from the doctor’s office and said, ‘Young, I have lung cancer, I have lung cancer’, but the doctor said, ‘Oh no, he’s perfectly fine, he just has these spots, they’re completely benign, you don’t have to worry about it’. Then, just a few months later, his left lung had filled with fluid and he was diagnosed with mesothelioma."