River Phoenix knew he was suffering an overdose the night he died says friend | Daily Mail Online
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Commenting that while Phoenix maintained an image of a hippie vegan pacifist, the reality of his drug taking was much darker.
On the night that he died, 'River and John stumbled in' to The Viper Room, writes Forrest.
The pair met up with Phoenix's brother, Joaquin, their sister Rain and Red Hot Chili Pepper Flea and Johnny Depp.
Memoir: Musician Bob Forrest in 2011- the former Thelonious Monster frontman has written a new book in which he recounts the untimely death of his friend River Phoenix (right) pictured in 1991
Musician and Actor: River Phoenix was watching his friend Johnny Depp play with his band on the evening of his death
Forrest alleges that as soon as Phoenix and Frusciante arrived, cocaine was immediately passed around, but that the promising actors condition startled him.
'River was obviously wasted and was as unsteady as a boxer who had taken one too many head-shots during a fifteen-round bout,' Forrest writes.
It was during the performance by Depp's band that Phoenix tapped Forrest on the shoulder to tell him that he was not feeling well.
'Bob,' he said, 'I don’t feel so good. I think I’m OD’ing.'
 
Band Mates: John Frusciante (left) and Flea (right) of the Red Hot Chili Pepper were with River Phoenix on the night of his death in 1993
Actor Joaquin Phoenix (R) and sister Rain Phoenix pictured in 2007 - Both were present with their brother River when he tragically overdosed on drugs and died on Halloween 1993
However, Forrest claims that Phoenix rallied and re-entered the crowd, but a only a few moments later, a frantic shout went out over the music to call 911.
Phoenix was taken outside, onto the sidewalk and was seizing. When the ambulance arrived Phoenix was still alive and Flea went with the stricken actor to Cedar-Sinai Hospital.
However, when Forrest arrived there having driven himself, he saw Samantha Mathis, the girlfriend of River Phoenix standing in the hallway of the hospital, crying.
It was at this moment that he knew his friend was dead.
Sadly, Depp phoned and asked Forrest, 'How's your friend?' Not realizing that the patient was his good friend Phoenix.
'Dude,' Forrest said. 'River’s dead.' After a long pause, Depp said, 'Oh my God,' and hung up.
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