Sid Vicious was the bass guitarist and vocalist of the Sex Pistols, a punk rock band. He died on February 2, 1979, at the age of 21 from an apparent heroin overdose. He had been released from Rikers Island on February 1, 1979, after completing his detoxification program. Vicious had a tumultuous relationship with his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen, who was found dead on October 12, 1978, with a single fatal stab wound to the abdomen. Vicious was arrested and charged with her murder, but he was released on bail after it was paid for by Virgin Records. He attempted suicide about a week after Spungens death by slashing his wrists and was held in the psychiatric ward of Bellevue Hospital. Vicious was never tried for Spungens murder because he died before the trial.