‘We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Phil’: Family react to Seymour Hoffman’s death
There has been an outpouring of grief following the sudden death of Philip Seymour Hoffman on Sunday at the age of just 46.
While celebrities lead tributes, his family are reeling after the Oscar-winning star was found dead with a needle in his arm in a penthouse apartment in Manhattan.
It has been claimed that the star, who sometimes lives on Bethune St. in the West Village, died of an “apparent overdose.”
His family released a statement Sunday afternoon: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Phil and appreciate the outpouring of love and support we have received from everyone. This is a tragic and sudden loss and we ask that you respect our privacy during this time of grieving. Please keep Phil in your thoughts and prayers.”
Hoffman, a father-of-three who had struggled with drugs and alcohol in the past, was found alone with a needle in his arm in the bathroom around 11:30 a.m. by screenwriter David Katz and another friend.
It is said that the pair went to check on Hoffman because he had not shown up to pick up his kids.
According to various reports, Hoffman was apparently using heroin and that two bags were found near him, but the cause of death was pending the medical examiner’s investigation.
Hoffman in a 2006 interview with “60 Minutes”, discussed his previous substance abuse problems, which he said began after graduating college.
“It was all that (drugs and alcohol), yeah, it was anything I could get my hands on … I liked it all,” he said in the interview.
As Dr. Mohammad from Inspire Malibu says, beating addiction is a lifelong thing.
He tells CelebZter: “Heroin addiction is a dysfunction in brain chemistry that never goes away. People suffering from addiction must be taught how to recognize this dysfunction and must be 100% accountable for their recovery plan.
“People are not seeking treatment but effective treatment is available. Addiction effects the brain and body and we know that there is often underlying psychiatric conditions so we must conduct full psycho social personality and professional evaluations. We believe that anyone struggling with a major addiction should not be denied professional treatment and therefore should have access to the finest medical professionals available.
“Once we have relevant information we can determine the most effective medication for safe comfortable detox and relapse prevention. As stated earlier, anyone suffering from addiction must have a lifelong ongoing treatment plan in place. Anything short of this can end in disability or premature death.”
Last May Hoffman completed a 10-day detox program in rehab after admitting he relapsed after 23 years of sobriety.
This is the official police statement on Hoffman’s death:
On Sunday, February 2, 2014 at approximately 1136 hours police responded to a 911 call for an aided male inside 35 Bethune Street, within the confines of the 6th Precinct. Upon arrival, officers located a 46-year-old male, unconscious and unresponsive, lying on the bathroom floor. EMS also responded and pronounced the male DOA at the scene. An investigation is ongoing by the NYPD. The Medical Examiner’s Office will determine the cause of death. Family has been notified.
DOA:
Hoffman, Philip Seymour
46 years old
35 Bethune Street, Manhattan
