Philip Seymour Hoffman

Philip Seymour Hoffman

The alleged drug dealer of Philip Seymour Hoffman believes he could have "saved" him.

Hoffman was found dead in his New York apartment from an apparent heroin overdose on February 2nd. Robert Vineberg is one of three suspected dealers connected to the 46 year old stars death and has already been charged with felony drug possession.

The jazz musician, who claims he last saw the actor in person in October, said: "He was my friend. I could've saved him. If I knew he was in town, I would've said, 'Hey, let's make an AA meeting.' If I was with him, it wouldn't have happened. Not under my guard."

Vineberg's last contact with the 'Hunger Games' actor came in December via email and text and he says they traded messages about staying sober.

In an interview from prison, he recalled to the New York Post newspaper: "He left me a voicemail in December saying, 'I'm clean'. We'd text back and forth, 'Oh, I got one day on you!' 'No I've got one day on you.' When we got together, we talked about books and art. He was a normal guy. You wouldn't know he was an Oscar winner. He loved his kids. I offer my condolences to his family."

The 57-year-old saxophonist said he was "devastated" by Philip's death and sent his sympathy to the actor's family; children Cooper (10), Tallulah (7), Willa (5), and estranged partner Mimi O'Donnell.

When asked if he had ever supplied drugs to the actor, he declined to answer.

His lawyer maintained Vineberg's innocence in connection with Philip's death.

The lawyer, Ed Kratt, said: "All of the evidence adduced to date has indicated that Robert did not provide to Mr. Hoffman the narcotics that caused his unfortunate death. The evidence also shows that Robert and Mr. Hoffman were true friends who had bonded over and struggled with the dangerous use of narcotic drugs."