Gossip: Billy Mays
A Florida medical examiner reported that TV pitchman Billy Mays had heart disease caused or aggravated by cocaine use. Before his death he had also taken several painkillers and anti-anxiety drugs.
Hyperkinetic TV pitchman Billy Mays died partly as a result of cocaine use, said a Florida medical examiner last week. Mays, who was 50, had heart disease caused or aggravated by drug use, said the report. Before his death he had also taken the painkillers hydrocodone, oxycodone, and tramadol, as well as anti-anxiety drugs alprazolam and diazepam. Mays’ family said they were “extremely disappointed” by the report and would consider an independent evaluation.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Aston Martin Vantage Roadster: 'a rare treat indeed'
The Week Recommends The Roadster version of Aston Martin's new Vantage coupé makes even 'the most mundane journey feel special'
-
Bad Friend: Tiffany Watt Smith explores why women abandon friendships
The Week Recommends A 'deeply researched' account of female friendship through history
-
Brazil's reborn dolls craze
Under The Radar The 'hyper-realistic' babies soaring in popularity in South American nation have spawned controversy