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 (see [article id="1455048"]"Dee Dee Ramone Found Dead In Los Angeles"[/article]). 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 (see

[article id="1455083"]"'Dee Dee Ramone Was Punk Rock' To Friends, Fans"[/article]).

His overdose came 14 months after the passing of frontman Joey Ramone from

lymphatic cancer (see [article id="1442817"]"Punk Pioneer Joey Ramone Dead At 49"[/article]).