Dee Dee Ramone, who co-founded influential 1970s punk rock band The Ramones and went on to become a rap singer and a painter, has died.
Ramone, 49, was found dead last night at his home in Los Angeles by his wife.
"The police investigation has concluded that he died of a drug overdose," said an Los Angeles Police Department officer. "No foul play or suicide is suspected."
Los Angeles coroners confirmed that an accidental drug overdose appeared to be the cause of the artist's death.
Ramone, born Douglas Colvin in Virginia in 1952, co-founded The Ramones in 1974 and played bass with the band until 1989, after which he pursued a short career as a rapper under the name Dee Dee King.
The four-man band was one of the leading pioneers of punk music in the 1970s and went on to huge rock success in the 1980s.
Ramones co-founder Joey Ramone died in April, 2001 of lymphoma, also at age 49.
A benefit will be held at a local club for Ramone, who had just finished writing his fifth book.