Officials seeking answers in Billy Mays' death

Monday, June 29, 2009

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Billy Mays was found dead in his home Sunday morning.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Billy Mays, best known for his high-energy infomercials, has died at the age of 50.

Police have confirmed that he died Sunday morning. His wife woke up and found him in bed. He was not breathing.

Rescue crews declared him dead at 7:45 a.m.

Police said there was no sign of a break-in, and they do not suspect foul play.

The coroner's office expects to have an autopsy done by Monday afternoon. However, they may not have a final word on the cause of Mays' death for several weeks.

HSN pitchman

Mays became famous for his amped-up infomercials and spots on the Home Shopping Network. His ads featured him shouting about the virtues of products like OxiClean and Orange Glo while demonstrating their efficacy.

The Pennsylvania native got his start in the late 1970s as a salesman selling a portable washing machine to people on the Atlantic City boardwalk.

He spent the next 12 years selling products at home shows, auto shows and state fairs across the United States.

More Information

He first surfaced nationally when he became friends with rival salesman Max Appel, who founded OrangeGlo International.

The company hired Mays to go on the Home Shopping Network to sell its line of cleaners: OxiClean, Orange Clean and Orange Glo.

Since then, he had appeared in infomercials for "as seen on TV" inventions like the Steam Buddy, Mighty Mendit and the Ding King.

In 2008, Mays started appearing in ads for ESPN's online service, ESPN360, which were designed as parodies of his own commercials.

Most recently, he teamed up with fellow pitchman Anthony Sullivan for the Discovery Channel documentary "Pitchmen." He was also going to shoot a commercial for Taco Bell.

U.S. Airways flight

Mays was a passenger on the US Airways 737 aircraft that took a hard landing at Tampa International Airport on Saturday. He had been shooting a commercial in Philadelphia.

Tampa Bay On Demand

On Friday, Tampa Bay On Demand sat down with Billy Mays' son to chat about life as the child of a celebrity. Watch the two men talk on the phone
Watch the rest of the interview on Tampa Bay On Demand under Channel 340.

Luggage had fallen on Mays' head during the incident, and his family said he was not feeling well when he went to bed later that night, said police spokeswoman Laura McElroy.

Officials have not said if his death is connected to that incident. They said it is all speculation at this point.

Airline spokesman Jim Olson told CNN Sunday there were no reported passenger injuries from flight 1241. The airline vowed to "cooperate fully" with authorities in the investigation.

"We were very sad to learn of Billy Mays' passing and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family," Olson said.

Mays family statements

Mays' wife, Deborah, released a statement Sunday.

"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' son, Billy, posted to his Twitter account Sunday morning.

"My dad didn't wake up this morning. I'm sure you'll all hear about it. It hasn't yet hit me but it's about to."

Business partner calls Tampa radio station

May's business partner, Anthony Sullivan, called Tampa radio station WFLZ to talk about Mays.

"He was the hardest working man in television, whether it was Taco Bell or whatever he was doing," Sullivan said. "And I was really proud to be by his side and it was really a great ride and I'm really going to miss him, man."

An exclusive interview with Sullivan will air on the MJ morning show Monday.