From OxiClean to Oxycodone: Billy Mays had 19 substances in system when he died, including cocaine

August 7, 7:06 PMTampa Headlines ExaminerDanette Pelletier

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(AP Photo/Discovery Communications/John Chapple)

Renowned national pitchman and Tampa resident Billy Mays had 19 different substances, including cocaine, in his system when he died, according to toxicology results released by the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's office today.

Mays, known for his enthusiastic commercials featuring household products like OxiClean and Orange Glo, died in his sleep on June 28th.

Mays' preliminary autopsy revealed chronic, untreated hypertension as the cause behind Mays' sudden death at age 50. The final results now show that Mays had also ingested cocaine days before he died.

Cocaine use can raise blood pressure and speed up the process of atherosclerosis formation that caused Mays' heart to fail.

According to the report, Mays also had several prescription drugs in his system, including Xanax, Valium, hydrocodone, and oxycodone. Mays reportedly was under a doctor's care for chronic hip pain, and had scheduled hip surgery before he died.

The report indicates that the prescription drug levels in Mays' body were all at "therapeutic" levels, although the cocaine use is now listed as a contributing factor in his death. It is unclear why Mays' hypertension remained undetected and/or untreated despite the fact he was under a doctor's care.

Mays' family is reportedly upset by these latest findings and is considering an independent evaluation of the autopsy results.

Related Links: 

Tampa Bay Business Journal: Billy Mays dies of heart disease

Billy Mays Complete Autopsy Report