Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman died from a toxic mix of drugs

March 1, 2014

'Capote' actor died on February 2 aged 46

Actor Philip Seymour Hoffman died from a toxic mix of heroin and other drugs, US officials have said.

A spokeswoman for the New York City medical examiner stated Hoffman died from a mix of heroin, cocaine, amphetamines and benzodiazepines, which are psychoactive drugs such as Librium that work as muscle relaxants.

The death was ruled an accident. Police had been investigating his death as a suspected drug overdose. Law enforcement officials have said Hoffman was found on February 2 with a needle in his arm, and tests found heroin in samples from at least 50 packets in his Manhattan apartment. The 46-year-old star of 'Capote' and 'The Master' said in interviews last year that he had sought treatment for a heroin problem after 23 years of sobriety.

The actor, who won an Oscar for his leading role in Capote and garnered critical acclaim throughout his career for turns in films such as The Master, Magnolia and Almost Famous, was found by emergency services in his New York home.

A statement released by Hoffman's family the day after his death described the loss as "tragic and sudden". They said: "We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Phil and appreciate the outpouring of love and support we have received from everyone."

In a career which included roles in over 60 films, he won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in the biopic of writer Truman Capote's life, and also picked up three Best Supporting Actor nominations for roles in 'The Master', 'Charlie Wilson's War' and 'Doubt'.

In addition to his roles in independent films, including 'Synecdoche, New York' and 'Boogie Nights', Hoffman also starred in a number of Hollywood blockbusters such as 'Mission Impossible 3'. His most recent role was in 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire'. There is expected to be a tribute to him at the Academy Awards tomorrow evening (March 2).

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Tulisa denies Class A drugs supply charge in court

December 19, 2013 21:02

The pop singer will appear in front of judges again on January 9, 2014

Pop singer and former X Factor judge Tulisa has denied playing a part in the supply of Class A drugs.

Tulisa Contostavlos was arrested following tabloid newspaper reports that claimed she was involved in an £860 cocaine deal. She appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today (December 19) to deny charges of being involved in the supply of class A drugs, reports BBC News.

Michael Coombs also pleaded not guilty to the same charge of being "concerned with the supply of 13.9 grams of cocaine" to an undercover reporter following a police investigation in June. Both Contostavlos and Coombs were granted unconditional bail. The case has now been sent to Southwark Crown Court and the pair will appear before judges there on January 9, 2014.

During her appearance in court today Contostavlos was made to disclose her London address, though her solicitor had applied for it to be withheld. "Just to let you know, after it being read out, in the next month or so I might have to move to a new address," Contostavlos said after her address was revealed, with her solicitor citing the "unwanted visitors" it might attract.

In June an undercover reporter working for The Sun On Sunday recorded what is believed to be Tulisa saying that "half her phone book" had access to drugs and that she would introduce their reporter to a drug dealer. This introduction was allegedly then made, with the undercover journalist filming himself paying £860 for half an ounce of cocaine.

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Confidante put drugs in Britney's food, singer's mom testifies

Judge Britney Spears poses at the season two premiere of the television series ''The X Factor'' at Grauman's Chinese theatre in Hollywood, California September 11, 2012.

Credit: Reuters/Mario Anzuoni

LOS ANGELES | Fri Oct 26, 2012 8:56pm EDT

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The one-time confidante of Britney Spears said he crushed up drugs in the pop singer's food to help her sleep and disabled her phone lines during the height of her meltdown five years ago, Spears' mother testified on Friday.

Lynne Spears told the Los Angeles jury in a civil trial that Sam Lutfi, Britney's self-styled manager at the time, described his actions to her in a January 2008 exchange at her daughter's Los Angeles home.

"Those were his exact words," Lynne Spears said on her first day on the witness stand. "I was very worried and I didn't know what to do so I tried to get her away from there."

Lutfi is suing Lynne Spears for defaming him in her 2008 book "Through the Storm," in which she related some of Lutfi's actions in 2007 when he became the singer's closest friend, and moved into her house.

Lynne Spears admitted under cross examination that she did not call police despite her concerns about her daughter.

She also acknowledged she had been estranged from her daughter for months in 2007, and that Lutfi told her he wanted to help reunite them.

Lynne Spears' book also claims Lutfi tried to cut the singer off from her family, and portrays him as a figure who controlled her every move.

Lutfi, who met Spears in a nightclub in 2007 and has said he tried to wean her off drugs, testified tearfully earlier this week he received death threats after the book was published.

The week-long trial has lifted the lid on the much-publicized meltdown by Spears in 2007 and early 2008, in which she went through a divorce, lost custody of her two kids, shaved her head and wielded an umbrella at paparazzi.

Lutfi is also suing Spears for a portion of her earnings at that time, claiming the "Toxic" singer hired him as her manager.

Lutfi further alleges Britney's father, Jamie Spears, punched him in the chest in 2008, during a period when the singer was twice held in a psychiatric ward in a Los Angeles hospital.

Jamie Spears was later named conservator of his daughter's personal and business affairs, and the family took out restraining orders against Lutfi.

Spears, now 30, has since made a comeback with world tours hit albums and a new job as a judge on TV talent show "The X-Factor". She is not expected to attend the trial.

(Reporting By Jill Serjeant; editing by Todd Eastham)

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