and i know he wasn't a 'rock star' but River Phoenix's death was pretty unexpected and dramatic.
Phoenix died at age 23 from a drug overdose of heroin and cocaine (speedball) outside the Viper Room, a Hollywood night club partly owned by actor Johnny Depp. The autopsy also revealed traces of cough syrup, crystal meth and cannabis in his blood. Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Michael Balzary, also known as Flea, was present at the time, as was River's younger brother Joaquin. He was rushed to the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center but any attempts to resuscitate him were to no avail. He was pronounced dead at 1:45 AM.
