Billy Mays heart succumbs to cocaine

August 7, 5:37 PMDetroit Substance Abuse ExaminerMichael Velardo

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   Pitchman Billy Mays, infomercial king (Courtesy of
   Sharese Ann Frederick)
 

TV pitchman Billy Mays had cocaine in his system that contributed to his death reported the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office according to reporter Robbyn Mitchell, of the the St. Petersberg Times. The initial coroner’s report listed the cause of death as a heart attack.

 May’s was a very popular infomercial celebrity, and was home when his wife found him unresponsive on June 28th, 2009. Known for his booming and energetic voice, there is probably not a person in America that wouldn’t recognize it.

Unfortunately, the toxicology report from the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office found Billy had taken cocaine days before suffering the heart attack. In addition, the toxicology report showed that Billy was taking oxycodone, hydrocodone, and tramadol. However, the levels of drugs found in his system were not indicative of having been abused, at least with respect to the narcotic painkillers. Billy was taking prescribed painkillers for his hip. Given the history of heart disease in May’s family, the cocaine probably contributed to his untimely death.

And down the road we go once again. Heath Ledger fell, Michael Jackson fell, and now Billy Mays, all victims of drug abuse. Those are ones that make the headlines because of their celebrity. Countless others have gone before, and will follow after these untimely deaths. But you would think a deterrent impact would radiate out from these tragedies for those just starting out abusing drugs, or those in the midst of full-blown dependency. Unfortunately, they do not for most drug abusers. They think they have the “golden directions” for abusing drugs of any kind.

Even though Billy Mays did not have intoxicating levels of narcotic painkillers in his system when he died, surely the presence of these drugs, along with the cocaine, served to push his heart over the edge just enough to cause his death. And with a history of heart disease in his family, the drugs were more of a disguise because what they did to Billy’s life indicates they were more related to the Grim Reaper.

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