Autopsy: Cocaine contributed to Billy Mays' death - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 08-07-2009, 05:16 PM

TAMPA, Fla. — An autopsy shows that cocaine use contributed to the heart disease that suddenly killed boisterous TV pitchman Billy Mays in June, officials announced Friday.

The 50-year bearded TV personality died of a heart attack in his sleep after going to bed at his Tampa condo the night of June 27. His wife found him unresponsive the next morning.

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 was a pop-culture fixture with his energetic commercials pitching gadgets and cleaning products like Orange Glo and OxiClean.

The McKees Rocks, Pa., native developed his style demonstrating knives, mops and other "As Seen on TV" gadgets on Atlantic City's boardwalk. For years he worked as a hired gun on the state fair and home show circuits, attracting crowds with his booming voice and genial manner.

He got his start on TV on the Home Shopping Network and then branched out into commercials and infomercials. He developed such a strong following that he became the subject of a reality TV series, Discovery Channel's "Pitchmen."

dawsongirl · 08-07-2009, 05:27 PM

Brad · 08-07-2009, 05:28 PM

While I'm surprised to see that cocaine was found in Billy Mays' system, it explains so much. The dude was excited about cleaning products, after all!

dawsongirl · 08-07-2009, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKA

While I'm surprised to see that cocaine was found in Billy Mays' system, it explains so much. The dude was excited about cleaning products, after all!

Hollow · 08-07-2009, 05:36 PM

what the hell, man?
maybe he went to purgatory for it and that's why i couldn't summon him on my ouija board.

JamesG · 08-07-2009, 05:42 PM

How unfortunate. Never know what people do in private.

Watch for all the "Billy Mays on speed" jokes that's going to come about on the web.

browneyes106 · 08-07-2009, 08:07 PM

It's very unforunate that cocaine was involved. I do wish Billy would have gotten help for his drug problem.

catlover79 · 08-07-2009, 08:15 PM

WOW.

80sTrivia · 08-07-2009, 09:03 PM

Shocking, but then again, maybe not so shocking...

Pitooey · 08-07-2009, 10:26 PM

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He sure fooled me.....

No, No..... He did get excited for those cleaning products like AKA said.

TheGreatPretender · 08-07-2009, 10:29 PM

..damn.

dakert · 08-07-2009, 11:07 PM

Drugs SUCK!!! Just Say NO!

InspectorExstead · 08-07-2009, 11:42 PM

Dayum. I didn't see that one coming at all. That's a really big shocker.

Schmoopie · 08-08-2009, 02:44 AM

That's too bad, really. Especially when it could have possibly been prevented, had cocaine NOT contributed to his death. Terrible way to learn a lesson, though.

SBTB Geek · 08-08-2009, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safety pin

what the hell, man?
maybe he went to purgatory for it and that's why i couldn't summon him on my ouija board.

08-07-2009, 05:16 PM	#1
Brian Damage Moderator Forum Legend I'm Rich Bitch Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 62,155	Autopsy: Cocaine contributed to Billy Mays' death TAMPA, Fla. — An autopsy shows that cocaine use contributed to the heart disease that suddenly killed boisterous TV pitchman Billy Mays in June, officials announced Friday. The 50-year bearded TV personality died of a heart attack in his sleep after going to bed at his Tampa condo the night of June 27. His wife found him unresponsive the next morning. 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 was a pop-culture fixture with his energetic commercials pitching gadgets and cleaning products like Orange Glo and OxiClean. The McKees Rocks, Pa., native developed his style demonstrating knives, mops and other "As Seen on TV" gadgets on Atlantic City's boardwalk. For years he worked as a hired gun on the state fair and home show circuits, attracting crowds with his booming voice and genial manner. He got his start on TV on the Home Shopping Network and then branched out into commercials and infomercials. He developed such a strong following that he became the subject of a reality TV series, Discovery Channel's "Pitchmen." __________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

08-07-2009, 05:28 PM	#3
Brad Forum Veteran 05/26/2013. Taste the happy. Join Date: Dec 17, 2001 Location: Oroville, California Posts: 15,297	While I'm surprised to see that cocaine was found in Billy Mays' system, it explains so much. The dude was excited about cleaning products, after all! __________________ Twitter

08-07-2009, 08:15 PM	#8
catlover79 Moderator Forum Legend God Bless Val Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 67,675	WOW. __________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

08-07-2009, 09:03 PM	#9
80sTrivia Senior Member Pop Culture Soothsayer Join Date: May 23, 2002 Location: Alas, Babylon Posts: 9,842	Shocking, but then again, maybe not so shocking... __________________ Too Much Information!!! The Wacky! The Weird! The Wild! All in One Place Thank You for Being a Friend: A Golden Girls Trivia Book! The Totally Awesome 80s TV Trivia Book! Evangeline, Alive & Well: A Story of Hope in Haiti

08-07-2009, 10:26 PM	#10
Pitooey Forum Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 15, 2001 Location: Rocking in Transylvania. Posts: 14,993	WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He sure fooled me..... No, No..... He did get excited for those cleaning products like AKA said. __________________ Pitooey... AKA JennyLee - I love the Monkees all over again! *SAY NO TO DRUGS* Jesus saves...

08-07-2009, 05:27 PM	#2
dawsongirl Forum Legend Member Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 52,914

08-07-2009, 05:36 PM	#5
Hollow Forum Celebrity Member Join Date: Dec 16, 2001 Posts: 30,234	what the hell, man? maybe he went to purgatory for it and that's why i couldn't summon him on my ouija board.

08-07-2009, 05:42 PM	#6
JamesG Moderator Forum Veteran Freakshow Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 22,378	How unfortunate. Never know what people do in private. Watch for all the "Billy Mays on speed" jokes that's going to come about on the web.

08-07-2009, 08:07 PM	#7
browneyes106 Senior Member Member Join Date: Apr 01, 2008 Posts: 6,041	It's very unforunate that cocaine was involved. I do wish Billy would have gotten help for his drug problem.

08-07-2009, 10:29 PM	#11
TheGreatPretender Senior Member just because Join Date: May 22, 2004 Location: Trying to think of a creative, witty location. Posts: 7,589	..damn. __________________ Peace is a good thing and so is salmon when it's smoked

08-07-2009, 11:07 PM	#12
dakert Senior Member Member Join Date: May 10, 2007 Location: altoona PA Posts: 2,183	Drugs SUCK!!! Just Say NO!

08-07-2009, 11:42 PM	#13
InspectorExstead Forum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 29, 2001 Location: The Golden State Posts: 12,882	Dayum. I didn't see that one coming at all. That's a really big shocker. __________________ They killed my sister because she asked: "Where is my vote?" http://sosiran.com/ http://tapeshhd.com/index.php

08-08-2009, 02:44 AM	#14
Schmoopie Moderator Forum Veteran I adore David Hyde Pierce! Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Seattle-The home of Niles Crane, Cafe Nervosa and KACL 780AM Posts: 10,594	That's too bad, really. Especially when it could have possibly been prevented, had cocaine NOT contributed to his death. Terrible way to learn a lesson, though. __________________ Daphne: I hope some day some man will feel that way about me. Niles: Oh, Daphne, don't worry. You are a very special person, and some day a man worthy of you will come along... just as soon as the gods create him. Daphne: I feel very close to you. Niles: I feel very close to you too Daphne. You know it's easy being someone you feel close to when you feel close to someone who's so close.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search