Billy Mays dies, at 50 -- Do celebrity deaths really come in threes?

Tampa, Florida police say Billy Mays, the television pitchman known for his boisterous hawking of products like Orange Glo and OxiClean, died suddenly earlier this morning. He was 50 years old,  exactly the same age as Michael Jackson who died three days earlier, on the 25th of June. (Could there be another synchronicity here? My daughter's friend's mother had apparently said recently that the deaths of celebrities come in threes, and she was wondering who the next celebrity to die would be...)

Authorities say Mays was pronounced dead this morning after being found by his wife Deborah, at home. There were no signs of a break-in or foul play. The coroner's office expects to have an autopsy done by Monday afternoon.

Deborah says the family does not expect to make any public statements and asks for privacy. (Sudden death is even more difficult than when there is even 24-hour notice. There is no time to prepare, so the shock of grief is tremendous. May the media honor Deborah and the family's wishes.)

Mays was also featured on the reality TV show "Pitchmen" on the Discovery Channel, which followed Mays and Anthony Sullivan in their marketing jobs. As another Examiner has written, many lessons can be learned from their "pitching" of commercials.

Discovery Channel spokeswoman Elizabeth Hillman released a statement today extending sympathy to the Mays family. "Everyone that knows him was aware of his larger-than-life personality, generosity and warmth," Ms. Hillman's statement said. "Billy was a pioneer in his field and helped many people fulfill their dreams. He will be greatly missed as a loyal and compassionate friend."

 

Mays was on a flight the day before that had a bumpy landing. It  is suspected at this time that a head injury that he sustained at the end of this flight may be the cause of his death. Whatever the cause of Mays' death, we pray for his soul, as we give thanks for his life, that he may have a blessed journey into the next chapter of his life. And let us especially pray for his wife Deborah and Mays' family that they will receive the comfort and nourishment they need at this time in their hour of grief.

 

Blessings of Deep Peace, Hope, and Understanding, Dancing heart~~~