Crime

[Print]  [Email]        

On this day, Oct. 12, 1978

Examiner Staff Writer 10/12/08

Nancy Spungen, girlfriend of English punk rock bassist Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols, was found stabbed to death in a New York hotel. Vicious, born John Simon Ritchie, was charged with Spungen’s death the following month.

The couple had become locked in their own world of drug addiction and self-destruction. Vicious himself came very close to death following a heroin overdose and was hospitalized for a time. Their love affair was portrayed in the 1986 movie “Sid and Nancy” with Gary Oldman playing Vicious.

On the morning of Oct. 12, Vicious claimed to have awoken from a drugged stupor to find Spungen dead on the bathroom floor of their room in the Hotel Chelsea in New York City.  He claimed to have no memory of the event. There are theories that Spungen was murdered by someone else: by a drug dealer, or in a botched robbery.

Vicious died less than four months later, Feb. 2, 1979, after spending 55 days in Rikers Island and posting bail. He obtained some heroin and overdosed. Vicious was discovered dead the next morning. He was 21.

0 Comments    



 

Post a comment:


Email:
(This will not be displayed or shared. Privacy Policy)

Display Name:

Comment:






Reader Comments:



     

Sports

Cutler tackles diabetes, Elway's legacy head-on

Jay Cutler is refusing to be sacked by diabetes or John Elway's legacy. The Broncos' third-year pro is taking both challenges head-on. He's on pace to set a franchise record with more than 4,500... Full story

Business

Pressure on Citigroup builds, shares fall below $4

Pressure intensified on Citigroup to sell part or all of itself as its stock fell below $4 a share on Friday and fears escalated about future loan losses. CEO Vikram Pandit told managers earlier... Full story

Entertainment

Hark! Colbert sings in new Christmas special

The permanently suit-clad Stephen Colbert has traded in his pinstripes for a cardigan sweater, red turtleneck and furry boots. Following the tradition of Andy Williams and Bing Crosby, Colbert... Full story