Davide actually died from a blood condition.
http://newyorkmetro.com/nymetro/nightlife/barsclubs/features/2937/index2.html
"When Davide (pronounced "David") Sorrenti died in February 1997, it was an A1 story in the New York Times. The 20-year-old photographer -- son and brother of two other prominent fashion photographers, Francesca and Mario -- had come to symbolize the dangers of "heroin chic." (Davide's death was actually the result of a painful blood condition, Cooley's anemia, complicated by heroin use. His mother is now leading a celebrated campaign against the use of underage fashion models, who are arguably more vulnerable to the lure of drugs.)"