AUTOPSY REVEALS COCAINE WAS A FACTOR IN TV PITCHMAN MAYS' DEATH

Last updated: Saturday, August 8, 2009

AUTOPSY REVEALS COCAINE WAS A FACTOR IN TV PITCHMAN MAYS' DEATH

American TV personality BILLY MAYS had been taking cocaine in the days leading up to his sudden death, autopsy results reveal.

Pallbearers carry the casket of Billy Mays, including Anthony 'Sully' Sullivan (second right) at the funeral of Billy Mays at St. Mary's Church. McKees Rocks, Pennsylvania - 03.07.09

Mays, who found fame as an infomercial pitchman, died in his sleep in his Florida home on 28 June (09) at the age of 50.

His death came just hours after he was hit on the head when the plane he was travelling on blew a tyre as it landed in Tampa, prompting speculation a possible head injury was to blame for ending his life.

Preliminary autopsy results suggested Mays suffered from heart disease and hinted an artery blockage had led to his demise, insisting there was no evidence of head trauma.

But the full report, released on Friday (07Aug09) by the coroner's office in Hillsborough County, states cocaine and other drugs were contributing factors in his death.

A statement from the authorities reads: "From the presence of metabolites of cocaine and the absence of cocaine itself, it was concluded that Mr. Mays used cocaine in the few days prior to his death but not immediately prior to death."

However, Mays' widow Deborah has blasted the coroner for releasing what she claims are "speculative conclusions" that mar the fact her husband suffered from "chronic, untreated hypertension".

The Mays family is now considering ordering an independent autopsy into the star's death.

Source: WENN

| Saturday, August 8, 2009

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AUTOPSY REVEALS COCAINE WAS A FACTOR IN TV PITCHMAN MAYS' DEATH

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