TV Pitchman Billy Mays found dead in bed
Unknown if sudden death is related to Saturday's emergency landing

From the BNO Newsroom.

TAMPA, Florida (BNO NEWS) -- Television pitchman Billy Mays — who built his fame by appearing on commercials and infomercials promoting household products and gadgets -- was unexpectedly found dead inside his Tampa, Florida residence on Sunday morning, police officials told BNO News. He was 50-years-old.

Mays was found unresponsive in his bed by his wife and was pronounced dead by Tampa Fire and Rescue at 7.45 a.m. local time. "There are no signs of forced entry to the residence and no foul play is suspected," Lt. Brian Dugan of the Tampa Police Department said. The Medical Examiner's Office is expected to complete the autopsy on Mays' body by Monday afternoon.

"Although Billy lived a public life, we don't anticipate making any public statements over the next couple of days," Billy Mays' wife, Deborah, said. "Our family asks that you respect our privacy during these difficult times," she added.

"My dad didn't wake up this morning," Bill Mays' son wrote on his personal Twitter account. "He's gone. I'm gonna be strong for him. Thank you for all the thoughts and prayers everyone."

On Saturday, Mays was on board the U.S. Airways passenger plane which made a hard landing at Tampa International Airport. No one was injured in the accident, according to airport officials, but Mays told a local television station that an item fell on his head. "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," Mays joked. Lt. Brian Dugan called it "pure speculation" to say his death could be related to the plane incident.

"Just had a close call landing in Tampa," he wrote in his last Twitter update. There is no word on the possible cause of death.

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