Cocaine killed Mays?

By David Liu (davidl@foodconsumer.org)

Infomercial king Billy Mays' death might have something to do with use of cocaine, news media reports.

Mays died on June 28 and Florida authorities later released autopsy results suggesting that cocaine helped kill him although it was determined that the cause of his death was heart disease.

Mays' family was angered and called the report "speculative -- and frankly unnecessary", New York Daily News reported.

Deborah, Mays' widow, was cited as saying that she was never unaware of her husband using any drug other than prescription pills that were intended to treat a hip problem.

Cocaine, a central nervous system stimulant, is found associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors, morbidity and mortality.

However, a study of young men and women aged 20 to 32 in 1987 showed that most of cardiovascular disease risk factors such as systolic blood pressure, heart rate, hypertension, physical activity and anthropometric measurements were not associated with lifetime cocaine use. 

The study was conducted by B L Braun and colleagues from Division of Education and Research, Duluth Clinic, Minn and published in the April 1997 issue of American Journal of Public Health.

It is unknown why the government wanted to release the autopsy results to the public to suggest that cocaine might kill Mays.