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Dee Dee Ramone's Death Due To Accidental Overdose, Coroner Says

Former Ramones bassist Dee Dee Ramone (born Douglas Colvin) died on June 5 as a result of an accidental heroin overdose, according to a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Coroner’s office.

“He had an abrasion on the left side of his forehead and a needle puncture wound on his left arm,” said spokesperson David Campbell, reading from the report.

The body, which showed no other trauma, was found face down on the arm of a couch in Dee Dee’s Hollywood home by his wife. A syringe was left on the kitchen counter and a spoon with possible drug residue, five balloons with possible drug contents and one broken balloon were also found near the body. Arriving officers were told that Dee Dee, 50, had a history of intravenous drug use, according to the report.

Dee Dee, who wrote such beloved Ramones tunes as “Psycho Therapy,” “53rd and 3rd” and “Poison Heart,” was considered to be one of the most influential punk bass players of all time. “I believe he has influenced every kid playing bass that saw him perform…. He was my friend and I will always miss him,” guitarist Johnny Ramone said in a statement at the time of Dee Dee’s death. His overdose came 14 months after the passing of frontman Joey Ramone from lymphatic cancer.

 
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