INDEX
» Struggle to fight heroin a reality in Lodi, county
» Heroin trail: From Mexico’s mountains to veins of Lodi addicts
» Lodians talk about their dangerous dance with the needle
» Methadone treatment more than heroin replacement
» Acupuncture helps heroin-hooked moms, babies
» Lodi police officer journeys into nether world of heroin
» The ancient origins, different forms of heroin
» From the beginning: The chronology of heroin use
Celebrities succumb to heroin addiction
In the decades since heroin was first introduced into the United States at the turn of the 20th century, its use has led to the deaths of numerous celebrities. Among those who have died in heroin related incidents in the last 30 years:
1997
David Sorrenti — 20, fashion photographer who was a leading proponent of the “heroin-chic look,” of a heroin overdose.
1996
Jonathan Melvoin — 34, keyboardist for the rock band Smashing Pumpkins, of a heroin overdose.
Brad Nowell — 28, vocalist for the punk rock band Sublime, of a heroin overdose.
1995
Jerry Garcia — 53, lead singer and guitarist for the rock band The Grateful Dead, from health complications during withdrawal from heroin addiction. The autopsy report confirmed he had used heroin within days of his death.
Shannon Hoon — 23, lead singer for the alternative rock band Blind Melon, a frequent heroin user, his death was ruled by the coroner as being from a drug overdose.
1994
Kurt Cobain — 27, lead vocalist of the grunge rock ban Nirvana, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound one week after nearly dying from a heroin overdose.
Kristin Pfaff — 27, bass player with the grunge rock band Hole, of a heroin overdose.
1993
Kevin “G.G.” Allin — 36, lead singer of the punk rock band Murder Junkie, of a heroin overdose.
River Phoenix — 23, film star of such movies as “My Private Idaho,” of a drug overdose. Autopsy blood test verified the presence of lethal levels of heroin, cocaine, alcohol and valium in his blood at the time of death.
Stefanie Sargeant — 25, guitarist with the grunge rock band 7 Year Bitch, of a heroin overdose.
1991
Johnny Thunders — 38, vocalist with the rock band New York Dolls, of a heroin overdose.
1990
Andrew Wood — 24, vocalist with the grunge rock band Mother Love Bone, of a heroin overdose.
1988
Hillel Slovak — 25, lead guitarist with the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, of a heroin overdose.
1987
Will Shatter — 31, bass player and vocalist for the rock band Flipper, of a heroin overdose.
1982
John Belushi — 33, star of “Animal House” and “Saturday Night Live,” of a drug overdose after injecting a heroin-cocaine mixture commonly called a “speedball.”1980
Darby Crash — 22, lead vocalist for the punk rock band Darby Crash & The Germs, of a heroin overdose.
1979
Sid Vicious — 21, bass player for the punk rock band The Sex Pistols, of a heroin overdose.
1975
Tim Buckley — 28, solo folk-rock star of such albums as “Goodbye & Hello,” of a heroin overdose.
1972
Janis Joplin — 30, legendary rock star found dead at Hollywood’s Landmark Hotel, of an “accidental heroin overdose,” according to the report from the Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office.