SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) -- Howie Epstein, a former bass player for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers for 20 years, died of what authorities suspect was a drug overdose. He was 47.

Investigators were told Epstein had been using heroin, said Maj. Ron Madrid of the Santa Fe County Sheriff's Department. Epstein was driven to St. Vincent Hospital by his girlfriend, who described him as "under distress." He died Sunday.

Epstein was taking antibiotics for an illness, and he had recently suffered from flu, stomach problems and an abscess on his leg, friends said.

"Apparently he passed out in the bathroom, and (his girlfriend) drove him to the hospital," Madrid said.

Epstein has been a respected musician and producer for more than 20 years. In addition to his work with Petty, he played on some of Bob Dylan's albums in the 1980s and produced a Grammy-award winning album for folk singer-songwriter John Prine called The Lost Years.

"We are deeply saddened at the news of Howie's passing," the online report quoted Petty & the Heartbreakers as saying in a statement. "It's difficult to put into words how much we loved him and will miss him. The world has lost a great talent and a kind ... soul. We can only take solace in knowing he is now at peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his many friends."

The veteran rock band fired Epstein in May of last year, citing his "ongoing personal problems," and he was replaced on tour by Ron Blair, the original band member Epstein subbed for in 1982.

He was singer Carlene Carter's longtime boyfriend, producing two of her albums, one of which was nominated for a Grammy.

"I'm devastated," said Carter, the stepdaughter of country singer Johnny Cash and daughter of June Carter Cash. "I loved him very much. My kids thought of Howie as their father.

"We had a good life together for 15 years. We've been apart since May last year, and all I know is I'm going to miss him very much."

Epstein and Carter were arrested in June 2001 in Albuquerque with 2.9 grams of black-tar heroin and drug paraphernalia in a vehicle that had been reported stolen.

Epstein was not charged in that case. Carter pleaded no contest to a charge of heroin possession and was sentenced to 18 months probation.

Several months before the plea, she was released into the custody of her daughter, Tiffany Lowe, in Nashville and has lived there since.

Epstein, who was born in Milwaukee, Wis., is survived by a daughter, Jamie Leffler, 15, in Los Angeles and two brothers in Milwaukee.

Epstein previously played with John Hiatt and Del Shannon, joined the Heartbreakers in 1982. In addition to playing bass, he sang harmony.

In an interview with Reuters last fall, Petty said no one had heard from Epstein in many months.