Pitchman Billy Mays Found Dead
Posted Jun 28th 2009 11:50AM by TMZ Staff
TMZ has confirmed TV pitchman Billy Mays was found dead today in his home in Tampa, Florida early this morning.
According to the Tampa PD, the 50-year-old TV pitchman was found unresponsive by his wife Deborah at 7:45 AM.
TMZ has learned Mays' body has already been removed from his home.
Mays had just returned from Philadelphia, where he shot a new OxiClean commercial. He was a passenger aboard a plane that suffered a blown front tire upon landing. He told a local TV station, "All of a sudden as we hit you know it was just the hardest hit, all the things from the ceiling started dropping. It hit me on the head, but I got a hard head."
We're told Mays was at his home around 6:00 PM last night, and according to a source Mays was "acting fine and normal ... he was talking business with his father-in-law."
According to cops, there are no signs of forced entry to the residence and no foul play is suspected.
The Medical Examiner's office is expected to complete the autopsy by tomorrow afternoon.
Billy's wife Deborah just released the following statement: "Although Billy lived a public life, we don't anticipate making any public statements over the next couple of days. Our family asks that you respect our privacy during these difficult times."
Discovery Channel spokeswoman Elizabeth Hillman released a statement Sunday that reads, "Everyone that knows him was aware of his larger-than-life personality, generosity and warmth. Billy was a pioneer in his field and helped many people fulfill their dreams. He will be greatly missed as a loyal andcompassionate friend."
6_6.gif 6_6.gif 6_6.gif why billy mays why?! we need more fantastic products!
Quote from: bobby on June 28, 2009, 11:47:58 AM
6_6.gif 6_6.gif 6_6.gif why billy mays why?! we need more fantastic products!
Sounds like God "CALLED RIGHT NOW!!!" like Billy says in his infommercials sad.gif
I wonder what they will do with the new commercial he just filmed.
Quote from: disneyland lady on June 28, 2009, 01:14:32 PM
I wonder what they will do with the new commercial he just filmed.
Billy was way more entertaining than the Brit "Sully" I watched their tv show every week. I just hope this doesn't mean more of the ShamWow guy. I can't stand him.
crying10.gif
girls18.gif
is a world without billy mays a world we want to live in?! girls18.gif girls18.gif
Since BET is having a Michael Jackson Tribute tonite why doesn't the infomercial channel have one for Billy.
Quote from: disneyland lady on June 28, 2009, 04:30:43 PM
Since BET is having a Michael Jackson Tribute tonite why doesn't the infomercial channel have one for Billy.
Great question. tumbsup.gif
Quote from: disneyland lady on June 28, 2009, 04:30:43 PM
Since BET is having a Michael Jackson Tribute tonite why doesn't the infomercial channel have one for Billy.
mj on BET?? giggle2.gif
i liked him..he was more the "average guy"
Quote from: bobby on June 28, 2009, 05:43:11 PM
mj on BET?? giggle2.gif
Don't matter if your Black Or White ♪♫♪♫
6_6.gif 6_6.gif 6_6.gif RIP Billy Mays
Quote from: disneyland lady on June 29, 2009, 06:28:41 AM
Don't matter if your Black Or White ♪♫♪♫
You're a funny lady! hysterical.gif
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.
What a shame! Here I thought he was a squeaky clean kinda guy! ( no pun intended! hysterical.gif )
Quote from: Mayhem on August 07, 2009, 03:09:18 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.
Can't say I saw that one coming. shocked.gif
However, I guess it explains how he was so damn chipper all the damn time! whistle.gif
Billy Mays' Family Says They Never Saw Signs of Cocaine Use (Did they never watch his infommercials?)
Saturday , August 08, 2009
The family of TV pitchman Billy Mays said they were never aware that he used cocaine or other non-prescription drugs before his death and they were considering whether to have an independent review of an official autopsy.
The Hillsborough County medical examiner's office released the results of its autopsy on Friday, finding that cocaine use had contributed to the heart disease that suddenly killed the 50-year-old in June. He was discovered by his wife in bed at their Tampa condo the morning of June 28.
Mays was a pop-culture fixture with his energetic commercials pitching gadgets and cleaning products like Orange Glo and OxiClean.
While heart disease was the primary cause of his death, the medical examiner listed cocaine as a "contributory cause of death."
The medical examiner "concluded that cocaine use caused or contributed to the development of his heart disease, and thereby contributed to his death," the office said in a press release.
The office said Mays last used cocaine in the few days before his death but was not under the influence of the drug when he died. Hillsborough County spokeswoman Lori Hudson said nothing in the toxicology report indicated the frequency of Mays' cocaine use.
Cocaine can raise the arterial blood pressure, directly cause thickening of the left wall of the ventricle and accelerate the formation of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries, the release said.
The toxicology tests also showed therapeutic amounts of painkillers hydrocodone, oxycodone and tramadol, as well as anti-anxiety drugs alprazolam and diazepam. Mays had suffered hip problems and was scheduled for hip-replacement surgery the day after he was found dead.
Mays' family questioned the finding of cocaine and criticized the medical examiner's officer for issuing the report.
"We were totally unaware of any non-prescription drug usage and are actively considering an independent evaluation of the autopsy results," Mays' family said in a statement.
The statement said the family was "extremely disappointed" by the release of the information. They said the report "contains speculative conclusions that are frankly unnecessary and tend to obscure the conclusion that Billy suffered from chronic, untreated hypertension, which only demonstrates how important it is to regularly monitor one's health."
Longtime friend and colleague AJ Khubani, founder and CEO of the "As Seen on TV" product company Telebrands, said Mays never showed any signs of drug use and was always prepared for his many commercial shoots.
"I'm just shocked," Khubani said. "He was the model of a responsible citizen."
Mays, a 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."
Originally I had thought that he might have a posthumous shelf life with his ads but as soon as I saw one of them I immediately thought 'he is drugged and not that hopped up about the product'. I imagine others will think the same way. Sad, but he did it to himself.
I would rather buy a product from someone like Billy that just did coke than someone that slaps women around, like the Sham-wow loser. tumbsup.gif
Quote from: Joe C on August 08, 2009, 08:13:02 AM
I would rather buy a product from someone like Billy that just did coke than someone that slaps women around, like the Sham-wow loser. tumbsup.gif
slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif
Quote from: hocky on August 08, 2009, 08:43:27 PM
slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif
What, you prefer the Sham-wow dude?
Quote from: Joe C on August 08, 2009, 08:58:44 PM
What, you prefer the Sham-wow dude?
I think he's on crack.
Quote from: Squid on August 09, 2009, 07:23:13 AM
I think he's on crack.
Sham-wow dude BEATS women. Much worse. zipper.gif
Quote from: Joe C on August 09, 2009, 07:25:40 AM
Sham-wow dude BEATS women. Much worse. zipper.gif
I agree! At least Billy wasn't hurtin' anyone.....yet!
Well, now in death he is...but at least nothing physical in life.
how sad..another icon topples off his throne..
Quote from: Joe C on August 08, 2009, 08:13:02 AM
I would rather buy a product from someone like Billy that just did coke than someone that slaps women around, like the Sham-wow loser. tumbsup.gif
No Joe I dont like the sham wow loser.......i saw the word SLAP and couldnt help myself! giggle2.gif
Quote from: hocky on August 09, 2009, 11:41:26 AM
No Joe I dont like the sham wow loser.......i saw the word SLAP and couldnt help myself! giggle2.gif
hysterical.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif slap1.gif
I find it interesting that his family says they so no sign of drug use. there is another case of a woman that was driving the wrong way on the road and killed several people. The autopsy showed she was drunk at the time but all of her family and friends have said they never knew her to drink and none every saw her drink. This could prove interesting the womans family is having a second independent autopsy done.
Quote from: harley89 on August 09, 2009, 01:51:42 PM
I find it interesting that his family says they so no sign of drug use. there is another case of a woman that was driving the wrong way on the road and killed several people. The autopsy showed she was drunk at the time but all of her family and friends have said they never knew her to drink and none every saw her drink. This could prove interesting the womans family is having a second independent autopsy done.
Yes, both cases are very interesting. However, some people do hide their addictions very well, sometimes for many years before people close to them are able to discover there is anything wrong. That is because they go about everyday life very normal and keep their addictions for certain (and private) times, and such. I have seen it myself with my ex-father-in-law and no one knew. I have seen it in other cases as well. It is quite common so long as the person isn't just all out doing it without any care who knows, which is where the path always ends up leading. Addictions don't stay hidden forever.
I am a Pogo Addict ! lipsrsealed.gif Don't tell anyone...mmmkay? n giggle2.gif
Quote from: Joe C on August 09, 2009, 07:25:40 AM
Sham-wow dude BEATS women. Much worse. zipper.gif
I've never liked the sham wow guy's commercials due to his manner.
Joe, are you referring to Sham Wow Guy punching that prostitute for biting his tongue - when she wouldn't let go of it? I'd punch her, too, if I were in his position. It sounds to me like they're both in need of help - BIG TIME - for so many reasons! The police/prosecutor refused to follow through on charges for either of them.
Quote from: Squid on August 10, 2009, 05:01:39 AM
I've never liked the sham wow guy's commercials due to his manner.
Joe, are you referring to Sham Wow Guy punching that prostitute for biting his tongue - when she wouldn't let go of it? I'd punch her, too, if I were in his position. It sounds to me like they're both in need of help - BIG TIME - for so many reasons! The police/prosecutor refused to follow through on charges for either of them.
Yup, that is the dude. When you have to explain WHY you hit the prostitute, sounds like too much has already gone on bad already. tumbsup.gif
Quote from: Joe C on August 10, 2009, 05:03:58 AM
Yup, that is the dude. When you have to explain WHY you hit the prostitute, sounds like too much has already gone on bad already. tumbsup.gif
Yeah, they both need help and I lose count tallying up the wrongs with this issue but you posted:
Quote from: Joe C on August 09, 2009, 07:25:40 AM
Sham-wow dude BEATS women. Much worse. zipper.gif
I don't think there's any proof of that at all. I think he was in A LOT of pain because some hooker's teeth had clenched down on his tongue and wouldn't let go - so he punched her. That doesn't mean he BEATS women. That means he wants his tongue back in one piece! wow.gif tongue.gif wow.gif tongue.gif giggle2.gif giggle2.gif giggle2.gif
Quote from: Squid on August 10, 2009, 06:18:53 AM
Yeah, they both need help and I lose count tallying up the wrongs with this issue but you posted:
I don't think there's any proof of that at all. I think he was in A LOT of pain because some hooker's teeth had clenched down on his tongue and wouldn't let go - so he punched her. That doesn't mean he BEATS women. That means he wants his tongue back in one piece! wow.gif tongue.gif wow.gif tongue.gif giggle2.gif giggle2.gif giggle2.gif
I was always told that it is always best when you do not have to explain things to the police. police.gif prisoner.gif
Quote from: hocky on August 09, 2009, 06:34:41 PM
I am a Pogo Addict ! lipsrsealed.gif Don't tell anyone...mmmkay? n giggle2.gif
I understand. I have an uncle named Skippy (better known as Otto) and he is an addict. If I don't let him play Pogo 24/7, he starts getting the shakes. Call me an enabler...I can take it.
giggle2.gif giggle2.gif giggle2.gif
Quote from: Stinkerbell on August 13, 2009, 08:01:31 AM
I understand. I have an uncle named Skippy (better known as Otto) and he is an addict. If I don't let him play Pogo 24/7, he starts getting the shakes. Call me an enabler...I can take it.
my uncle otto is a pogo addict and 100% badge whore. My mini is a shopping addict, she has to buy EVERYTHING in the mini mall (that doesn't cost gems) even on the men's side.
Call me an enabler as well!!! hysterical.gif hysterical.gif hysterical.gif
Quote from: Stinkerbell on August 13, 2009, 08:01:31 AM
I understand. I have an uncle named Skippy (better known as Otto) and he is an addict. If I don't let him play Pogo 24/7, he starts getting the shakes. Call me an enabler...I can take it.
OMG!! no-no.gif What a co-inky-dink!! I have a Uncle Otto as well, and he too is such a crazed addict!!
If I don't enable him I think he would bite me!! shocked.gif
giggle2.gif hysterical.gif giggle2.gif hysterical.gif
Quote from: roadwarrior on August 13, 2009, 09:41:58 AM
my uncle otto is a pogo addict and 100% badge ****. My mini is a shopping addict, she has to buy EVERYTHING in the mini mall (that doesn't cost gems) even on the men's side.
Call me an enabler as well!!! hysterical.gif hysterical.gif hysterical.gif
You do know about the mini-mall shopping glitch, right? Token free shopping? It's here on the forum somewhere if you don't know about it already. Give it a look-see. As Jeff Foxworthy would say "get outta line, it's worth it!"
Quote from: roadwarrior on August 13, 2009, 09:41:58 AM
my uncle otto is a pogo addict and 100% badge ****. My mini is a shopping addict, she has to buy EVERYTHING in the mini mall (that doesn't cost gems) even on the men's side.
Call me an enabler as well!!! hysterical.gif hysterical.gif hysterical.gif
Here's the original link (2nd from the bottom) for free shopping with some good contributions on the following page:
http://www.pogocheats.net/forum/index.php/topic,26080.750.html (http://www.pogocheats.net/forum/index.php/topic,26080.750.html)
Be sure to let the account playing the Pogo game go through a Jackpot Spin before stopping the game to check on token counts. Better safe than sorry. Good luck!