Philip Seymour Hoffman Autopsy Results: Cause Of Death 'Inconclusive'

By Emma Koonse, Christian Post Reporter Wednesday, February 05, 2014

A copy of a New York Times Magazine with a photo of movie actor Philip Seymour Hoffman on the cover is pictured as part of a makeshift memorial in front of his apartment building in New York February 3, 2014. | (Photo: Reuters/ Carlo Allegri)

Philip Seymour Hoffman's death on Sunday continues to send shockwaves through Hollywood, but answers surrounding the tragedy are still unavailable following the actor's autopsy report on Wednesday.

Hoffman was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on Nov. 2 after a friend came by to check on him. Police found the 46-year-old with a syringe in his arm and surrounded by plastic bags believed to have contained heroin, and law enforcement sources have indicated that the death was an apparent drug overdose.

Nevertheless, on Wednesday, the preliminary results of an autopsy were released, but only to reveal that Hoffman's cause of death is still "pending further studies," according to the Chicago Tribune. New York City chief medical examiner said that the autopsy was inconclusive, offering no hints as to what chemicals, if any, were found in Hoffman's system at the time of his death.

The Oscar Award-winning actor is remembered as one of the greatest actors of his generation with films such as "Capote," "The Big Lebowski," "Charlie Wilson's War," "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and "The Hunger Games," to name a few. Despite his success, the actor publicly battled an addiction to drugs, and admitted last year that he had relapsed after 23 years of sobriety.

Dozens of Hoffman's former co-stars and friends in Hollywood are mourning his death, including George Clooney, Tom Hanks, Kevin Spacey, Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow and Matt Damon, among others.

"This is a horrible day for those who worked with Philip," Hanks said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly on Sunday. "He was a giant talent. Our hearts are open for his family."

Clooney noted, "There are no words. It's just terrible."

Hoffman leaves behind his longtime partner, Mimi O'Donnell, and their three children. A representative for the actor said that he would be buried in a private memorial service, but that a public memorial is in the works for later this month.

Meanwhile, four people were arrested in NYC under drugs charges that may be linked to the narcotics found at Hoffman's home, including 22-year-olds Max Rosenblum and Juliana Luchkiw, according to the New York Times.