NEWSTV Pitchman Billy Mays Found Dead in Tampa Home
June 28 2009, Published 8:30 a.m. ET
Even more depressing news in the entertainment industry this week — TV pitchman and reality star Billy Mays was discovered dead at his home in Tampa on Sunday morning.
According to The Associated Press Mays was found unresponsive by his wife, Deborah, who contacted authorities. A fire rescue crew pronounced him dead at 7:45 a.m.
While no cause of death has been announced, Mays, 50, reportedly suffered a blow to the head on Saturday when the plane he was a passenger on experienced a rough landing and his wife says that he was not feeling well when he went to bed for the night around 10p.m.
Lt. Brian Dugan of the Tampa Police Dept. says there were no signs of a break-in at the home, and they do not currently suspect foul play. The coroner's office expects to have an autopsy done by Monday afternoon.
"Although Billy lived a public life, we don't anticipate making any public statements over the next couple of days," Deborah Mays said in a statement Sunday. "Our family asks that you respect our privacy during these difficult times."
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In addition to being the bearded, booming-voiced pitchman for products like Orange Glo and OxiClean, Billy was also the star of Pitchmen on Discovery Channel.
Our hearts and thoughts go out to Mays' family and friends at this time.
