Billy Mays was not on Cocaine
A few days ago, TMZ leaked Billy Mays' autopsy report and jumped to the conclusion that his death was caused by cocaine use.
Mays' family reacted by releasing the following statement:
I admit, I don't have any direct knowledge of what prescription drugs Mays was taking. However, it's not that great of a leap in logic to assume that he was using topical pain relief for his hip. The man was famous for pitching and using every consumer product out there, so if there was a solution recommended for his hip then he was going to use it.
This whole "controversy" is just an example of people hating the good for being the good. Mays was a model citizen and an illustration of the American work ethic. He rose from nothing to a rich celebrity and he helped others reach wealth along the way. This type of success is directly contrary to the age of envy in which we currently live, so the vultures in pop culture are trying anything they can to destroy his image after his death. Well they won't fool me and I hope they don't fool you.
Official documents show the following drugs were in Mays' system -- hydrocodone (Vicodin), oxycodone (painkiller), alprazolam (Xanax), nordiazepam (Valium), benzoylecgonine (byproduct of cocaine) and temazepam (anti-anxiety). Ethanol -- alcohol -- was also in Mays' system.So, because they found benzoylecgonine, they jumped to the conclusion that not only was he using cocaine, but that was also the major contributor in his death.
Mays' family reacted by releasing the following statement:
We are extremely disappointed by the press release released by the Hillsborough County medical examiner's office. We believe it 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. Given the hectic nature and pace of Billy's life, especially during the past 10 months of his exhaustive travel across the country, it was not surprising to hear that hypertension was the cause of his death. We were totally unaware of any non prescription drug usage and are actively considering an independent evaluation of the autopsy results. As those who were close to Billy knew, he had been in chronic pain for more than two years and was about to have his third hip surgery in 18 months. His use of prescription pain medication for his hip condition was guided by his physician and was at recommended usage levels. This has been a very difficult period for our family and we appreciate the respect for our privacy that Billy's many clients, fans and members of the media have extended. We appreciate your continued thoughts and prayers for the family and will not have any immediate comment beyond this statement.Now take the fact that Mays was in chronic pain and consider this fact: Benzoylecgonine is used as the main pharmaceutical ingredient in the prescripition drug Esterom, a topical solution used for the relief of muscle pain.
I admit, I don't have any direct knowledge of what prescription drugs Mays was taking. However, it's not that great of a leap in logic to assume that he was using topical pain relief for his hip. The man was famous for pitching and using every consumer product out there, so if there was a solution recommended for his hip then he was going to use it.
This whole "controversy" is just an example of people hating the good for being the good. Mays was a model citizen and an illustration of the American work ethic. He rose from nothing to a rich celebrity and he helped others reach wealth along the way. This type of success is directly contrary to the age of envy in which we currently live, so the vultures in pop culture are trying anything they can to destroy his image after his death. Well they won't fool me and I hope they don't fool you.
Labels: life
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