Philip Seymour Hoffman's Final 24 Hours
Feb. 3, 2014 -- In many ways, Philip Seymour Hoffman was a consummate New Yorker: happiest to go about his business quietly, without being bothered by strangers.
His last day, spent going to local haunts near his West Village apartment, was proof of that.
In the afternoon, the actor, who was found dead at home on Sunday afternoon at the age of 46, stopped by the Chocolate Bar, a coffeehouse that he frequented.
"He was fine," assistant manager Kate St. Cyr told DNAInfo.com. "He's been in a great mood, really happy."
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St. Cyr added that Hoffman often stopped in with his three children, and the group would indulge in peanut butter swirl ice cream.
"He seemed to have a really great relationship with his kids," St. Cyr said, calling the Oscar winner "a really sweet dad." "That's, I think, what's upsetting most of us. We feel really sad for his kids."
That evening, Hoffman enjoyed a quiet dinner with two men at Automatic Slims, a restaurant down the street from his home.
"They were in an out within an hour," a bartender told People magazine. "They were deep in conversation. He had a cranberry and soda and a cheeseburger."
The bartender added that while one of Hoffman's companions ordered a beer, the actor steered clear of alcohol.
"He seemed fine," the bartender added.
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What happened next is a bit darker.
He was supposed to pick up his kids from their mother, costume designer Mimi O'Donnell, Sunday morning, and his failure to arrive raised concerns.
A friend, David Katz, came to check in on him and found his body. A law enforcement official told ABC News that heroin was found at the scene, and a hypodermic needle was sticking out of Hoffman's arm. A cause of death is expected to be released today.
"We are devastated by the loss of our beloved Phil and appreciate the outpouring of love and support we have received from everyone," his family said in a statement. "This is a tragic and sudden loss and we ask that you respect our privacy during this time of grieving. Please keep Phil in your thoughts and prayers."
