Man Found Dead In Tub With Former TV Weatherman Died Of Asphyxia And Acute Drug Intoxication:

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Dexter Williams


A medical examiner in Arkansas says twenty four year-old Dexter Williams, the man who was with former KARK meteorologist Brett Cummins when he was found dead, died from asphyxia and acute combined drug intoxication.

Maumelle Police Department Press Release:

"Regarding Maumelle Police Department case #11-4587-OF documenting the sudden death of Dexter Williams, Associate Medical Examiner Frank J. Peretti, M.D. has officially listed the manner of death as undetermined. Dr. Peretti noted the cause of death as Asphyxia along with significant findings of Acute Combined Methamphetamine and Amphetamine Intoxication. There was no finding of strangulation listed on the Cause of Death report.

Once it is completed, the Maumelle Police Department will turn over the investigative file to the Pulaski County Prosecutors Office who will determine what, if any, charges can/should be filed."

According to the police report, Christopher "John" Barbour found Williams and Cummins, 33, in a whirlpool tub in his home at 16 Village Way about 8 a.m. on Labor Day morning. Officer Greg Roussie says he discovered Williams' body in a fetal position on the floor of the waterless tub that had a ring of blood around it.  Roussie noted that Williams had a chain around his neck that appeared to be a dog collar.

According to the incident report, Barbour told police he, Williams and Cummins were drinking and snorting illegal drugs and later got in the tub together. Barbour told police he slept on a couch in the living room and awoke the next morning to loud snoring coming from the bathroom. When he entered the bathroom to retrieve some glasses he and Cummins noticed that Williams, who was behind Cummins, was not breathing and his color was off. 

Former KARK meteorologist Brett Cummins

Cummins bolted from the bathroom and vomited in the living room before leaving the scene.  He voluntarily returned and provided police with a statement.  A pill bottle was recovered from the master bedroom adjacent to the bathroom where Williams was found dead, according to the report.

Williams family says he was "easily influenced" and they "are confident authorities will fully investigate this tragic event."

Brett Cummins resigned from KARK on Friday September 9, 2011.  His attorney Mark Hampton, of Little Rock, says his client has not been charged with any crime connected to Williams death, and he is innocent.

Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney Larry Jegley says it's too early in the investigation to say whether or not any charges connected to Williams' death will be filed.

Arkansas TV Meteorologist Found In Tub With Dead Body- W/Link To Police Report:

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Brett Cummins

Authorities in Arkansas are investigating the suspicious death of a naked man found dead in a bathtub with a dog collar and chain wrapped around his neck.

Maumelle police were called to a home in Pulaski County, Arkansas after the homeowner found 24-year-old Dexter Paul Williams of Mountain Pine dead and meteorologist Brett Cummins of Little Rock television station KARK passed out.

Christopher John Barbour, the owner of the house where Cummins, 33, was found with the dead body, told police that he allegedly witnessed Cummins, who has been with KARK since 2001, and Williams "drinking and snorting illegal narcotics" Sunday (09-04-11) night.   A pill bottle was recovered from the master bedroom adjacent to the bathroom.

Barbour told police he found Williams lying with his head behind Cummins’ left shoulder early Monday morning.  “After Brett awoke they discovered that Dexter was not conscious and his face was a different color,” according to the police report. “He then explained that Brett screamed and became ill and left the bathroom and vomited on the carpet in the living room," before leaving the residence.
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Dexter Paul Williams (facebook photo)

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In the report, Maumelle police officer Greg Roussie wrote he was the first responder on the scene arriving at 8:10 a.m. and Barbour escorted him to the bathroom, where he observed a “naked white male lying on the floor of the tub.” There was no water in the tub, Roussie said, and “the subject was lying on his right side in a fetal position, his face was blue and purple in color with a chain around his neck. The chain was silver in color and consistent with what I believed to be a dog collar.”  There was also a small ring of blood found around the bottom of the tub.

Cummins later returned voluntarily and gave police a statement to police and was released.

Authorities haven't ruled out foul play. An autopsy and toxicology is being conducted on Williams' body to determine the cause of death.
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KARK in Little Rock posted a report on its website about William's death and Cummins connection on Tuesday.  "Our meteorologist Brett Cummins was at the home at the time of the death and we felt we should share this with our viewers.  Brett will not be on the air as hi is mourning the loss of his friend.  Our thoughts go out the family and friends of Dexter Williams." 
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The family of Dexter Williams released the following statement through their attorney:  "While we are disturbed by the circumstances surrounding the death of our son, we are confident the authorities will fully investigate this tragic event.  Dex had a very loving but trusting heart.  Anyone who knew him would agree that he was easily influenced.  We would like to thank our friends and family for their continued sympathies and support."
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UPDATE 09-09-11:

Brett Cummins resigned from KARK on Friday September 9, 2011.  His bio and picture have been removed from the television station's website.

Little Rock attorney Mark Hampton, who represents Cummins, says his client has not been charged with any crime connected to Williams death, and he is innocent.

LINK TO POLICE REPORT HERE or ABOVE