River Phoenix Died in Joaquin Phoenix’s Arms — His Final Words Still Echo Today October 31, 1993. Outside The Viper Room in Hollywood, River Phoenix collapsed after an overdose. He was just 23 years old. His younger brother, Joaquin Phoenix, only 19, held him in his arms and called 911. The call is public. You can hear Joaquin’s panic: “He’s not breathing. Please hurry.” In his final moments, River looked at Joaquin and whispered: “Don’t follow me. Don’t do what I did. Promise me.” Then River Ph