Original Blog Entry: UPDATE: Possible drug overdose in death of mega pastor in NY Hotel

truesee — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 23:46:46 GMT

Possible drug overdose eyed in Florida pastor Zachery Tims' death in Times Square hotel room: source

Rocco Parascandola

DAILY NEWS POLICE BUREAU CHIEF

Monday, August 15th 2011, 6:01 PM

Pastor Zachery Tims was found dead Sunday in his room in the W Hotel in Times Square.

The Florida pastor found dead in a Times Square hotel room may have died of a drug overdose, according to a police source.

A small glassine envelope containing a white powder was found in Zachery Tims's pocket, the source said.

The powder will be tested to determine if it cocaine, heroin or any other drug. An autopsy on Tims was inconclusive, and further tests are being conducted.

Tims, 42, the senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, was found dead Friday evening in his 37th-floor room at the W Hotel on Broadway.

He was lying face up in a walkway between the bedroom and the living room area, the source said. His body had no obvious signs of trauma.

Based on what family members told police, none of Tims' jewelry was missing, and it does not appear he was robbed of any other belongings.

Police believe he was alone when he died because hotel staff had to break through the door's security bar, which can only be put in place from inside the room.

The hotel had no comment.

But a second source said police are checking to see where Tims had been during his stay in the city and who he called.

He had come to the city for a meeting and was due to leave Thursday for Texas.

The source said he did not check out that day. On Friday, hotel workers went to his room and discovered his body.

Tims and his wife, Riva, founded the church in Orlando in 1996. It now has 8,000 members.

Two years ago, the couple divorced after he admitted having an affair with a stripper.

Riva Tims, who shared custody of their children, could not be reached yesterday for comment.

... [ More ]