AR - Dexter Williams, 24, found dead in hot tub with TV weatherman, 5 Sept 2011

[daisy.faithfull]

Nova: I definitely appreciate your feedback.

For deeper background on my point about "professionalism" giving Cummins the ability to perform on-camera after the events at Barbour's house: I was relating my thoughts through personal experience in larger market journalism and public relations as well as friendships (real ones, not the Facebook kind) with top-notch broadcasters, when covering a breaking news event (9-11-01 for example) they can pull it together and distance themselves to provide a public service to the viewer. When it is personal (death of a parent, spouse; birth of a child or grandchild), they immediately drop everything to deal with the event (I could provide countless examples).

I will present an alternate theory on how Cummins was able to pull off that forecast:
In my opinion, I have no doubt that Brett is someone who has been living a secret life for years, whether that be hiding his sexuality in public (which I don't blame him for, especially in Little Rock) or hiding his true sexual passions/interests from people he knows/friends; I am extremely confident that Cummins is someone that can jump from his public persona to friends persona to sexual persona pretty easily. I think years of being secretive/hiding things about himself and switch persona's based on the scene conditioned him to have the ability to post that happy-go-lucky weather update video hours after Dexter Williams died.

In regard to Christopher Barbour:
* It is critically important for us to remember that on December 23, 2010 Christopher Barbour was arrested and charged with third degree domestic battery.
* I have tried to do extensive research into the backgrounds of Cummins, Barbour and Williams to better understand this situation. While I have uncovered a plethora of personal, intimate knowledge about Williams and Cummins (which I haven't shared here), I have had an impossible time discovering anything about the background/basic information about Christopher Barbour. I haven't been able to locate any follow-up information on his arrest. If anyone can assist in this effort, it would be tremendously helpful to allow us to understand the situation.
* With that in mind, IMHO, I think that Cummins (not wanting to ruin his career) and Barbour (not wanting another arrest) had a lot to gain by working together to do whatever it took to minimize their involvement in Williams' death. I'm sure that this discussion and crafting of a storyline took a good amount of time until they are both satisfied that neither will be accountable. For some reason Cummins flees the scene, which we can only assume is to dispose of evidence, get cleaned up or perhaps something darker, and Barbour alerts the authorities. Barbour might have decided that because of the December arrest he needed to distance himself from the events even further by concocting the Rip Van Winkle-like sleep story and placing Cummins in the tub (I'd venture to guess the agreed upon story was Williams wanted to take a bath to feel rejuvenated to continue their sexual exploits and Cummins/Barbour had both passed out while Williams was in the bathroom). Barbour may have done this because: he was mad at Cummins because if he didn't bring Williams to his house this wouldn't have happened or he wanted to do whatever it took to make it an "all on you, none on me" situation.
* I think that the medical examiner's time of death will be VERY telling. I'd suspect that this might be a reason preliminary toxicology reports weren't released and they are waiting for the full report to have a rock solid account of the time of death and cover-up.

At this point I am confident that given the evidence we all understand that charges should be filed against Cummins and Williams.

Sorry for the never-ending post, I would really appreciate everyone's thoughts on what I've written.

Also, thanks to all of you for making me feel so welcome here!

This is such a horribly sad story, I went over to his facebook and looked through all the pictures he had up of himself and his friends. I can't imagine what his family is going through.

I'm wondering if drugs and/or alcohol were at all involved the domestic violence charges against Christopher B.

I agree that it looks like Cummins went to destroy drugs and possibly evidence of a possible cover up. And if it was "just" drugs, isn't it standard to just flush them down the toilet? And then maybe I missed something, but if they waited any length of time before calling LE, why didn't they wait for Cummin's to return from doing whatever it was that he was doing that looks like disposing of evidence.

I hate that they brought up the dog collar. Some of the articles I've read about this are beyond horrible, like its a movie or something, YKWIM? Like calling Dexter "the dead guy in the hot tube", I don't know... I just don't like it.

 

[pferrin]

It will also be interesting to see if the ME notes any markings due to dog chain collar.

 

[Steely Dan]

Cummins being able to do the weather report doesn't bother me in the slightest. He's been doing the same thing for years. Look at Obama at the dinner the night before he ordered OBL killed. He still hadn't made up his mind. IIRC, it was the next day that he gave the green light.

 

[pferrin]

I have seen a few of Dereks FB pics and he is just darlin'..I do so hate this for his family. They immediately contacted Brett or tried to to find out what had happened. I feel they will actively fight for Derek.

 

[pferrin]

I need to apologize..I keep calling Dexter Williams..the name Derek. Sorry.

 

[HastingsChi]

I don't know if I missed this nugget of information earlier today or someone previously mentioned it, but Saturday's Arkansas Democrat Gazette (ArkansasOnline.com) states:

First test results rule out nothing in hot-tub death
The initial results of an autopsy on a 24-year-old man found dead in a Maumelle hot tub with a Little Rock meteorologist have not changed the scope of the investigation into the death, Maumelle police said Friday.
[Quick Question: Since I'm not a subscriber to this paper, I cannot access the full article. Might anyone (Tezi I'm hoping you can help) access it and share it with us here???]

Can we read anything into police stating that the initial results have "not changed the scope of the investigation"???

 

[Nova]

Nova: I definitely appreciate your feedback.

For deeper background on my point about "professionalism" giving Cummins the ability to perform on-camera....

Hastings, I don't think we actually disagree here. My field is theater, so I'm very used to performers going on under all sorts of difficult personal situations. It isn't necessarily a sign of sociopathy or of habitually keeping a secret.

One friend of mine supplied the voice for one of the Disney princesses. She and I did a 3+ hour stage show, then she sat in her dressing room signing autographs and greeting children for more than another hour. All this was on the night after her father's funeral. When I suggested that maybe she should call it a day, she replied, "The kids don't know my father died. They'll just be disappointed that I didn't wait to meet them."

She isn't gay and doesn't lead a secret life. She's just a pro (and very grateful for all her Disney fans, but especially the children).

***

Barbour changing the story makes sense to me. Otherwise, I don't get why they meticulously cleaned up Cummins' vomit, but then told a story that puts him in the tub with the corpse.

 

[HastingsChi]

This is such a horribly sad story, I went over to his facebook and looked through all the pictures he had up of himself and his friends. I can't imagine what his family is going through.

I'm wondering if drugs and/or alcohol were at all involved the domestic violence charges against Christopher B.

I agree that it looks like Cummins went to destroy drugs and possibly evidence of a possible cover up. And if it was "just" drugs, isn't it standard to just flush them down the toilet? And then maybe I missed something, but if they waited any length of time before calling LE, why didn't they wait for Cummin's to return from doing whatever it was that he was doing that looks like disposing of evidence.

I hate that they brought up the dog collar. Some of the articles I've read about this are beyond horrible, like its a movie or something, YKWIM? Like calling Dexter "the dead guy in the hot tube", I don't know... I just don't like it.

daisy.faithfull : I couldn't agree more with what you said so perfectly and eloquently in the first paragraph; thank you for saying that.

Regarding Christopher Barbour's 12/23/10 domestic battery arrest, I've been unable to obtain additional information on it (police report, court records, etc). Is there someone on Websleuths who is known for having a good track record of obtaining hard to find information like police reports/court records that we might ask to assist?

I think your points related to Cummins fleeing the scene are really interesting and reminded me of something that we haven't discussed: the police report states "Mr, Barbour obtained Brett's AR 329LEZ) in the event that Brett did not return."
* Why would Barbour copy down Cummins license plate number? Was Barbour not confident Cummins would return? If that is the case, what reason might Cummins possibly have to not return?

 

[pferrin]

According to pulaski co tax assessor..barbour is not listed on record for this house..it is a J K T..Billing info is sent to him at the addy for this house. Wonder where he was????

 

[HastingsChi]

Hastings, I don't think we actually disagree here. My field is theater, so I'm very used to performers going on under all sorts of difficult personal situations. It isn't necessarily a sign of sociopathy or of habitually keeping a secret.

She isn't gay and doesn't lead a secret life. She's just a pro (and very grateful for all her Disney fans, but especially the children).

***

Barbour changing the story makes sense to me. Otherwise, I don't get why they meticulously cleaned up Cummins' vomit, but then told a story that puts him in the tub with the corpse.

Nova: Thanks for your thoughts and I must say that you are right, we do agree. I guess neither of us have known anyone personally who, after a night of partying with drugs, woke up naked next to a dead friend and had to be on-camera or on stage later that day; so we don't know how they'd react. I really hope you caught my lighthearted sarcasm in the last sentence :innocent:

As far as Barbour goes he was either really smart and immediately wiped all his online profiles or his digital life is non-existent with the exception of:
* The 1/20/11 Maumelle newspaper "Crime Watch" noting his 12/23/10 domestic battery arrest.

* His Facebook page mentions the following:
Background
- Profession: Heavy Diesel Mechanic at Ryder
- Originally From: Gainesville, Florida (Gainesville High School Class of 1993)
Interesting Asides
- He enjoys books by "John Grisholm" [Me: I intentionally copied and pasted the misspelling of John Grisham's name from Barbour's page.]
- It is VERY ironic that he also mentions enjoying the following: the film "Dangerous Liaisons", the television shows "Law & Order" and "Criminal Minds"

Things That I Found Important
- He owns two dogs "Ted and Toby, AKA Bonnie and Clyde" [Me: This caused me to further question the 10 hour Rip Van Winkle-like sleep story]
- He "Likes" certain gay-specific things and sites which make it evident to me that Dexter Williams' dog collar was not a jewelry/necklace-like accessory and was an element of a sexual scene. That, combined with information from the police report, would confirm to me that the three men were engaged in a PNP (Party and Play) session (Party and play - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).
[Me: Some of the sites he "likes" and other info I've found aren't "family friendly" so if you'd like the details, please private message me]

 

[tezi]

HastingsChi, I will have to find my friend who has the log-in for the Dem-Gazette. It may be tomorrow. But, I will get right on it.

 

[HastingsChi]

HastingsChi, I will have to find my friend who has the log-in for the Dem-Gazette. It may be tomorrow. But, I will get right on it.

Thanks Tezi, you're the best

 

[HastingsChi]

Right about now (circa 11:30am CDT) visitation at the Caruth-Hale Funeral Home in Hot Springs, Arkansas visitation is being held for Dexter Paul Cummins, his funeral service will be held at 12pm CDT. I hope everyone will join me in keeping Dexter's family and friends in thoughts and prayers today.

In thinking about the events for Dexter Williams today I wonder if Brett Cummins or Christopher Barbour will personally pay their respects to their friend...

 

[annmarie62]

daisy.faithfull : I couldn't agree more with what you said so perfectly and eloquently in the first paragraph; thank you for saying that.

Regarding Christopher Barbour's 12/23/10 domestic battery arrest, I've been unable to obtain additional information on it (police report, court records, etc). Is there someone on Websleuths who is known for having a good track record of obtaining hard to find information like police reports/court records that we might ask to assist?

I think your points related to Cummins fleeing the scene are really interesting and reminded me of something that we haven't discussed: the police report states "Mr, Barbour obtained Brett's AR 329LEZ) in the event that Brett did not return."
* Why would Barbour copy down Cummins license plate number? Was Barbour not confident Cummins would return? If that is the case, what reason might Cummins possibly have to not return?

It's pretty reasonable to assume that Barbour and Cummins:
1. were both partying and engaging in risky sexual behavior that night.
2. were both consuming illegal narcotics and providing them for their much-younger victim, to get him 'in the mood.'
4. were both no strangers to casual stranger sex (was the victim known to either of them? was he hired as an escort?)
5. were both aware that the victim had died pretty much as soon as he was died- I don't care how high one is, seeing someone either foam at the mouth/convulse/OD is pretty sobering... and why would they want downers with all of their apparent sex plans? no i believe these two were freaking out, altering the scene/moving the victim, concocting stories and trying to make them match each other for hours. The TV guy knew his career was over and I doubt he was thinking rationally. The other guy w/assault arrest seems to be the "street type" and he probably took charge, so...
6. Barbour, like a poster above stated, probably took on the clean-up role while Cummins was sent to dispose of evidence and/or drug-related stuff... they may have had sex toys or gay that weather boy didn't want investigators to see. Barbour seems to think more like a criminal and he probably is one of those "CSI"-obsessed idiots who think they are so smart.
So OF COURSE he is going to write down Cummins' tag number! Any crime show teaches that if two are brought to the station, they get split up so cops can compare stories. If the stories fall apart, the first one to cop a plea gets the better deal. For all Barbour knew, when Cummins left in his car, he was going straight to the police to save himself. Barbour was desperate to be seen as an innocent roommate, fat chance.

 

[KeineLiebe]

Has anyone else read that the police already received the autopsy results (at least part of it) and are still not releasing any additional information?

Is that typical?

 

[marge_rita]

It's pretty reasonable to assume that Barbour and Cummins:
1. were both partying and engaging in risky sexual behavior that night.
2. were both consuming illegal narcotics and providing them for their much-younger victim, to get him 'in the mood.'
4. were both no strangers to casual stranger sex (was the victim known to either of them? was he hired as an escort?)
5. were both aware that the victim had died pretty much as soon as he was died- I don't care how high one is, seeing someone either foam at the mouth/convulse/OD is pretty sobering... and why would they want downers with all of their apparent sex plans? no i believe these two were freaking out, altering the scene/moving the victim, concocting stories and trying to make them match each other for hours. The TV guy knew his career was over and I doubt he was thinking rationally. The other guy w/assault arrest seems to be the "street type" and he probably took charge, so...
6. Barbour, like a poster above stated, probably took on the clean-up role while Cummins was sent to dispose of evidence and/or drug-related stuff... they may have had sex toys or gay that weather boy didn't want investigators to see. Barbour seems to think more like a criminal and he probably is one of those "CSI"-obsessed idiots who think they are so smart.
So OF COURSE he is going to write down Cummins' tag number! Any crime show teaches that if two are brought to the station, they get split up so cops can compare stories. If the stories fall apart, the first one to cop a plea gets the better deal. For all Barbour knew, when Cummins left in his car, he was going straight to the police to save himself. Barbour was desperate to be seen as an innocent roommate, fat chance.

I read about this story while waiting to catch a plane out of O'hare AP. Being able to read only a few particulars about the young man's death, annemarie has listed a likely scenario of events.

What a tangled web.

imo

 

[marge_rita]

Has anyone else read that the police already received the autopsy results (at least part of it) and are still not releasing any additional information?

Is that typical?

KeineLiebe,
Not sure if it's typical but it's often done. LE is privy to the autopsy report.

 

[wfgodot]

Hello, and welcome to WS, marge_rita.

 

[Nova]

Nova: Thanks for your thoughts and I must say that you are right, we do agree. I guess neither of us have known anyone personally who, after a night of partying with drugs, woke up naked next to a dead friend and had to be on-camera or on stage later that day; so we don't know how they'd react. I really hope you caught my lighthearted sarcasm in the last sentence :innocent:....

Yes, I get the joke. And it's probably only dumb luck, since I was your age in the wild and wicked 70s, but, no, I have never known anyone who went on and performed within hours of a friend's overdose. But I have known performers to go on after various other types of tragedies.

BTW and FWIW, I am well-known to be gay here. You won't find a lot of openly gay posters at WS, but you will find that those who post here--even those who disagree with me politically--are gracious and respectful. The management wouldn't have it any other way.

 

[HastingsChi]

It's pretty reasonable to assume that Barbour and Cummins:
1. were both partying and engaging in risky sexual behavior that night.

2. were both consuming illegal narcotics and providing them for their much-younger victim, to get him 'in the mood.'

4. were both no strangers to casual stranger sex (was the victim known to either of them? was he hired as an escort?)

5. were both aware that the victim had died pretty much as soon as he was died- I don't care how high one is, seeing someone either foam at the mouth/convulse/OD is pretty sobering... and why would they want downers with all of their apparent sex plans? no i believe these two were freaking out, altering the scene/moving the victim, concocting stories and trying to make them match each other for hours. The TV guy knew his career was over and I doubt he was thinking rationally. The other guy w/assault arrest seems to be the "street type" and he probably took charge, so...

6. Barbour, like a poster above stated, probably took on the clean-up role while Cummins was sent to dispose of evidence and/or drug-related stuff... they may have had sex toys or gay that weather boy didn't want investigators to see. Barbour seems to think more like a criminal and he probably is one of those "CSI"-obsessed idiots who think they are so smart.
So OF COURSE he is going to write down Cummins' tag number! Any crime show teaches that if two are brought to the station, they get split up so cops can compare stories. If the stories fall apart, the first one to cop a plea gets the better deal. For all Barbour knew, when Cummins left in his car, he was going straight to the police to save himself. Barbour was desperate to be seen as an innocent roommate, fat chance.

Excellent thoughts annmarie62!

To help answer a couple of your questions noted in your post:
Regarding 4: Dexter Williams and Cummins were/are Facebook friends (that being said, I don't know if they became friends on Facebook for one day or for years). I did some pretty thorough checking and am confident that Dexter Williams was NOT an escort.

Regarding 5 & 6: Reading your post got me thinking and spurred me to re-read the incident report.

Based on the report, here is the timeline of events with my thoughts in [ ] :
8:00am
- Christopher Barbour wakes up and hears Cummins snoring very loudly [Me: How did Barbour know who was snoring?]
- He entered the bedroom and observed that it appeared that no one had slept in the bed.
- He then entered the bathroom where he observed Brett and Dexter in the tub which had no water in it.
- He began to gather glassware that had been left in the bathroom [Does this strike anyone else as really odd-- glassware in the bathroom?] and awaken Brett. [If his hands were filled with this glassware how did he give Brett a nudge to awake him?]
- After Brett awoke they discovered that Dexter was not conscious and his
face was a different color.
- Brett screamed and became ill and left the bathroom and vomited on the carpet in living room.
- They cleaned the vomit prior to police arrival. (Police observed a bottle of carpet cleaner and a washcloth on the coffee table)
- Cummins flees the scene

8:10am
Police are dispatched to the scene.

My thoughts on the timeline:
-So we are expected to believe that all that happened in a 10 minute period???

- Based on the timeline would you agree that Cummins was allegedly woken up circa 5 minutes after Barbour initially woke up?

- If that is the case, is there any way possible that in 5 minutes Cummins could have: woken up, determined for sure his friend was dead, vomit on the bathroom rug, help clean up said vomit, get dressed and flee the scene? I'd believe Cummins could do all this in 5 minutes if his name was Clark Kent, a phone-booth was present and he had an alter-ego