Philip Seymour Hoffman death: 50 heroin bags, used syringes found - Los Angeles Times
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Philip Seymour Hoffman death: 50 heroin bags, used syringes found

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Philip Seymour Hoffman had about 50 bags of heroin and 20 used syringes on hand in his apartment before his death, law enforcement sources said Monday, according to several reports. Hoffman’s body was found Sunday morning in the bathroom of his New York City apartment, a needle in his forearm.

An accidental overdose is suspected, a source told Fox411. An autopsy was being conducted Monday on the Oscar winner. He was 46.

Seven bags, five of them empty, were initially reported Sunday. ABC News was among the outlets reporting the larger number Monday. A charred spoon used to heat the drug was also found, New York Daily News sources said, along with five prescription drugs for high blood pressure, ADHD and more. Buprenorphine, which helps opioid addicts stay clean, was reportedly on hand.

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OBITUARY: Philip Seymour Hoffman, 1967-2014

Hoffman had gone through rehab at age 22, stayed clean for more than two years, then went through a 10-day detox last May after slipping back into drug use, first with prescription meds and then snorting heroin, the “Capote” and “Boogie Nights” actor told TMZ at the time.

He was photographed appearing “drunk” on Thursday night in Atlanta, TMZ said, posting a shot of him at a bar. Also, according to Fox411, police were seeking video footage from a bank ATM where a witness told police he had seen Hoffman take out a wad of cash Saturday night and hand it over to two men, both with messenger bags, in what appeared to him to be a drug deal.

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The trip to the ATM, around 8 p.m., appeared to be the last time the actor was seen alive, Fox411 said.

Hoffman was supposed to pick up his three children with costume designer Mimi O’Donnell on Sunday morning but never showed. The two had reportedly recently separated. A screenwriter friend went to check on him, found the body and called 911.

While many celebrities expressed sadness in the wake of Hoffman’s death, others focused on the fact that it appeared to be a drug overdose.

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Jared Padalecki took it on the chin after tweeting, “‘Sad’ isn’t the word I’d use to describe a 46-year-old man throwing his life away to drugs ‘Senseless’ is more like it. ‘Stupid.’”

The 31-year-old “Supernatural” star, who has two young children, then explained his first instincts and deleted the first tweet: “I didnt mean PSH is stupid or that addiction isnt a reality. I simply meant I have a different definition of “tragedy”. When I think “tragedy”, I think of St Judes, of genocide, of articles I read in the paper. But, yes, either way, a death, is sad.”

Actress Kristen Bell didn’t mention the death at all, tweeting simply, “If youre struggling w/addiction: seeking treatment WILL help. There are ppl out there who dont even know u yet-who love u & want u to live.”

Hoffman’s “Hunger Games” associates, including Jennifer Lawrence, released a joint statement Sunday, saying in part, “Philip was a wonderful person and an exceptional talent, and our hearts are breaking.”

On Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. EST, Broadway will remember the fallen stage and screen talent by dimming marquee lights for one minute, Entertainment Weekly noted.

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