Pitchman Billy Mays Dead

[PDXChris]

TMZ again.

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.

 

[PDXChris]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,529328,00.html

Television pitchman Billy Mays — who built his fame by appearing on commercials and infomercials promoting household products and gadgets — died Sunday, FOX News confirms.

Mays was found unresponsive by his wife inside his Tampa, Fla., home at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday, according to the Tampa Police Department.

Police said there were no signs of forced entry to May's residence and foul play is not suspected. Authorities said an autopsy should be complete by Monday afternoon.

Mays, 50, was on board a US Airways flight that blew out its front tires as it landed at a Tampa airport on Saturday, MyFOXTampa.com reported.

US Airways spokesman Jim Olson said that none of the 138 passengers and five crew members were injured in the incident, but several passengers reported having bumps and bruises, according to the station.

Authorities have not said whether Mays' death was related to the incident.

"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," Mays wife, Deborah, said in a statement on Sunday.

 

[Ryanwb]

No!!!!!

Jeeze, such a rash of deaths lately. I'm going Howard Hughes if this keeps up

 

[PDXChris]

No!!!!!

Jeeze, such a rash of deaths lately. I'm going Howard Hughes if this keeps up

Why couldn't this one have been the shamwow guy. I liked Billy.

 

[Ryanwb]

I was really into their Discovery Channel show... it was actually interesting and entertaining at the same time.

Billy had a fortune he made off the crap he peddled. I hope we don't find out he loved prostitutes, barbiturates and booze. We already knew he loved cheeseburgers...

 

[Ryanwb]

The news said he was on a flight the day before that blew out a front tire on landing. Apparently the passengers were thrown around the cabin a bit... I wonder if he got knocked on the head or something Natasha Richardson like

 

[PoolBoy]

what a weird week. Bring on Monday.

 

[AZ Native]

I first thought it was a joke. But no, it is true. RIP

 

[Lefty]

They first reported he was not wearing his seatbelt but since said that was not true.

 

[Ryanwb]

First the King of Pop, then the King of Infommercials. If I were Don King, I would lay low

 

[Brian]

My uncle died of the same thing. Hit his head on the steering wheel of his van during a minor accident. Went to sleep that night, never woke up.

Sad.

Edit: Nevermind. Docs are now saying it may have been heart disease?

 

[TJ]

This sucks. Billy Mays actually convinced me to buy some of that mighty putty stuff. Very useful. He also didn't come off as a phony like most infomercial personalities.

 

[Mulli]

But wait there is more:

Spoiler

No there isnt

 

[FArting]

RIP

 

[Dback Jon]

I love Oxiclean!

RIP Billy Mays

 

[cardsfanmd]

RIP

 

[Ryanwb]

Man, the talent level of infomercial personalities sure drop off after Billy

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[NoelPHX]

Looks like cocaine was a contributor to his death. Even the people we think are great people are still human just like the rest of us....


http://www.azcentral.com/ent/celeb/articles/2009/08/07/20090807mays.html

 

[Ryanwb]

That explains his high energy levels

 

[Renz]

Another life destroyed by drugs. Sad.