Zachery Tims was found dead on the floor of a W Hotel room in New York City August 12. Nearly two months later, the cause of death remains a secret—and it may stay that way if the Florida megachurch pastor’s mother gets her way.
In a move to keep New York Medical Examiner officials from releasing the cause of death, Tims’ mother has filed a lawsuit against the city of New York, according to the New York Daily News.
When the autopsy was inconclusive, toxicology reports were ordered. Although the results are in, they may never be released. A Manhattan State Supreme Court justice will hear the case on Nov. 23.
“The family has raised some concerns we’re looking into,” Ellen Borakove, director of the Public Affairs Office of the New York Chief Medical Examiner’s Office, told Charisma News in late September. Borakove said she had “no definitive information” about the toxicology report or when it will be released.
News reports indicate Tims had a plastic bag filled with white powder in his pocket, leading many to believe his death was associated with a drug overdose. By Tims’ own testimony, he was instantly delivered from drug addiction when he was saved.
Although church officials have not commented on the circumstances surrounding Tims’ death, Bishop T.D. Jakes spoke at the funeral about how unhappy Tims was.
Gina Meeks contributed to this report.
