Hoffman found with likely heroin packs: Officials

The Hollywood actor was found dead in a bathroom with a syringe in his arm

Medical examiners were conducting an autopsy on the body of Philip Seymour Hoffman as investigators scrutinised evidence from the scene of the actor's death, including packets that enforcement officials said were believed to contain heroin.

The autopsy yesterday, came the day after the Academy Award-winning actor was found dead in his Manhattan apartment. While there was no official ruling yet on what caused the 46-year-old's death, two law enforcement officials said it was believed to be a drug overdose.

Hoffman was found in a bathroom with a syringe in his arm and with glassine envelopes of what was believed to be heroin, the officials said.

Some of the one-dose packets were stamped with the ace of hearts symbol, and others with the words "Ace of Spades" and that symbol, another law enforcement official said.

All the officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to talk about evidence found at the scene.

Stamps are common as a form of drug-world branding, and authorities make note of the ones they encounter.

It wasn't immediately clear whether the ace of hearts and ace of spades stamps could lead investigators to any clues about the source of the items found in Hoffman's apartment.