Cocaine contributed to death of TV pitchman Billy Mays

[hentob]

I did not see that one coming.

 

[Liberty Belle]

I know drug addiction is a disease, but damnit, there's reasons why many of us don't try drugs in the first place. It makes me angry for those he left behind.

 

[C.Ann]

Nope - I didn't see that one coming either..

 

[lovetoscrap]

That really stinks and is so disappointing.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Wow.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

WTH!!!!!

I feel horrible for his daughter--a little girl shouldn't lose her daddy to supidity!

ETA: Before this gets crazy, is there a link as I am not seeing it on AOL news or cnn online at the moment.

ETAA: NM: http://www.clickorlando.com/news/20321162/detail.html

Autopsy: Cocaine In Billy Mays' System
Report Says Drug Contributed To Pitchman's Death

POSTED: Friday, August 7, 2009
UPDATED: 5:09 pm EDT August 7, 2009

TAMPA, Fla. -- An autopsy report said cocaine contributed to the death of TV pitchman Billy Mays.

The 50-year-old bearded TV personality died of a heart attack in his sleep. His wife found him unresponsive June 28 at their condo in Tampa, Fla.

A release from the Hillsborough County medical examiner's office Friday said Mays had last used cocaine days before his death.

The report said that although Mays died from heart disease, cocaine use was a contributing cause of death.

Mays' family released a statement shortly after the medical examiner's office released its findings.

"We are extremely disappointed by the press release released by the Hillsborough County medical examiner's office. We believe it contains speculative conclusions that are frankly unnecessary and tend to obscure the conclusion that Billy suffered from chronic, untreated hypertension, which only demonstrates how important it is to regularly monitor one's health," the statement said.

The family said they were not aware of any illegal drug use and they are considering an independent autopsy evaluation.

"As those who were close to Billy knew, he had been in chronic pain for more than two years and was about to have his third hip surgery in 18 months. His use of prescription pain medication for his hip condition was guided by his physician and was at recommended usage levels," the family said.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

There are no words!

 

[JessicaR]

What a terrible shame.

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/08/07/2009-08-07_tv_pitchman_billy_mays_.html

 

[Nik's Mom]

I just read about that. What a stupid thing to do to his family! Sorry, but this type of story really makes me angry. I know about addiction all too well from family members. It's a very sad thing.

 

[AshleyW]

I just read about that on CNN. Definitely didn't see that one coming.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Most of all, I am disappointed that this information was released. I hope that the family sues...

 

[bettyann29]

wow.. I totally didnt see that one coming..

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Most of all, I am disappointed that this information was released. I hope that the family sues...

They might try but they would get nowhere.

Autopsy reports are public record in the state of Florida.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

They might try but they would get nowhere.

Autopsy reports are public record in the state of Florida.

Thanks - I didn't know that, but I am no less disgusted...

 

[Nik's Mom]

Most of all, I am disappointed that this information was released. I hope that the family sues...

Maybe it's public information? The dirty details of celebrity deaths are always reported on.

I'm sure his family must be very disappointed at this news, especially if they weren't aware of his drug use. What a shock.

 

[edandcolleen1995]

Thanks - I didn't know that, but I am no less disgusted...

At whom though? It is a matter of public record. Like being pulled over for a DWI or such..

Are you made at him for using, or for the information being "released"?

 

[Mickey527]

I think alot of people do jump to conclusions when they hear something like that. It is not necessary to judge until all the fact have been released.
Of course the family will come to the defense, but face it, if it were one of our family members we might also.
If you read what the family said, "As those who were close to Billy knew, he had been in chronic pain for more than two years and was about to have his third hip surgery in 18 months. His use of prescription pain medication for his hip condition was guided by his physician and was at recommended usage levels," the family said.
Unless someone on these boards is the Dr of Mays and his family then wait to see what type of medication was in his system at the time of death. I am betting that the pain meds he was on had cocaine in them. I don't have a PDR anymore since I stopped working as a nurse but I do remember some patients who were on cocaine based meds for severe pain when I worked on the neuro floor.
And frankly, who's business is it how he died, HE DIED too young. Just like people buy those junk magazines to see what is said about how Michael Jackson died. I hope when and if any family members of these boards die of questionable causes others leave them and their families alone.

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

Question: Why when we get the reports about people dying of swine flu do we read that we can't have more info because of privacy laws, but with autopsies we can know every detail of what is in the deceased's blood? If one dead person's records are considered private, why not another?

(I am not asking this facetiously, I really want to know--it seems details about swine flu deaths could legitimately help the public, but details about celebrity deaths do little more than provide fodder for tabloids.)

 

[allison443]

They might try but they would get nowhere.

Autopsy reports are public record in the state of Florida.

As I have learned from watching Nancy Grace cover the Casey Anthony case Florida really puts everything out there for the public to see!

 

[luvmy3]

I think alot of people do jump to conclusions when they hear something like that. It is not necessary to judge until all the fact have been released.
Of course the family will come to the defense, but face it, if it were one of our family members we might also.
If you read what the family said, "As those who were close to Billy knew, he had been in chronic pain for more than two years and was about to have his third hip surgery in 18 months. His use of prescription pain medication for his hip condition was guided by his physician and was at recommended usage levels," the family said.
Unless someone on these boards is the Dr of Mays and his family then wait to see what type of medication was in his system at the time of death. I am betting that the pain meds he was on had cocaine in them. I don't have a PDR anymore since I stopped working as a nurse but I do remember some patients who were on cocaine based meds for severe pain when I worked on the neuro floor.
And frankly, who's business is it how he died, HE DIED too young. Just like people buy those junk magazines to see what is said about how Michael Jackson died. I hope when and if any family members of these boards die of questionable causes others leave them and their families alone.

Wouldn't they already know what medications were in his system? And wouldn't his wife and/or doctor already have told the ME what medications Billy was using? Also maybe the check the nasal passages and found proof of use.
I think if they suspected that any of his medications could have been causing the positive for coke that they wouldn't have made a public statement saying they determined that cocaine did in fact contribute to his death.

Wasn't he in Vegas days before his death? I wonder if he was a habitual user or if this was a one time deal. Whatever it was, I;m shocked and me heart breaks for his young dd.

 

[diznygirl]

I think alot of people do jump to conclusions when they hear something like that. It is not necessary to judge until all the fact have been released.
Of course the family will come to the defense, but face it, if it were one of our family members we might also.
If you read what the family said, "As those who were close to Billy knew, he had been in chronic pain for more than two years and was about to have his third hip surgery in 18 months. His use of prescription pain medication for his hip condition was guided by his physician and was at recommended usage levels," the family said.
Unless someone on these boards is the Dr of Mays and his family then wait to see what type of medication was in his system at the time of death. I am betting that the pain meds he was on had cocaine in them. I don't have a PDR anymore since I stopped working as a nurse but I do remember some patients who were on cocaine based meds for severe pain when I worked on the neuro floor.
And frankly, who's business is it how he died, HE DIED too young. Just like people buy those junk magazines to see what is said about how Michael Jackson died. I hope when and if any family members of these boards die of questionable causes others leave them and their families alone.

Per TMZ:

"Official documents show the following drugs were in Mays' system -- hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (painkiller), alprazolam (Xanax), nordiazepam (Valium), benzoylecgonine (byproduct of cocaine) and temazepam (anti-anxiety). Ethanol -- alcohol -- was also in Mays' system."