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

[HastingsChi]

A quick follow-up to yesterday's post: Brett Cummins is apparently moving out of his home in Little Rock (a fact which I uncovered in the these Twitter posts). Additionally, a quick check of Cummins address in the police report followed by a Google search uncovered this info. If anyone is interested in leasing a house in Little Rock, Arkansas owned by a disgraced former weatherman, you'll find that link helpful (and I might add the monthly rent is pretty cheap)....

 

[Joe Friday]

It has been 13 days since events occurring at 16 Village Way in Maumelle, Arkansas led to the death of 24 year old Dexter Williams. The titillating details revealed in the Maumelle Police Department's Incident Report made international headlines and became the fodder for late night comedians & morning zoo radio hosts. The media in Little Rock disregarded any notion of investigative journalism and focused their efforts on how this incident would impact the employment of a local weatherman. In an effort to avoid additional international headlines, the weatherman's "resignation" was announced after 5pm on a Friday while the nation focused on September 11 and the start of the NFL season. Little Rock media outlets minimized the news of Cummins' employment ending but the story made national headlines the following Monday.

On September 12, CNN (the only media outlet providing actual news related to the investigation) reported the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory's final report on Williams' death would "be ready 'in the next week or so." This report, combined with other evidence collected by the Maumelle Police Department, will determine what (if any) charges will be filed against Brett Cummins and Christopher Barbour.

In an effort to answer so many of the questions, suspicions, red flags and concerns that have been expressed regarding the circumstances leading to the death of Dexter Williams and the individuals involved, I have uncovered information through my own sleuthing and communication with sources that I would like to share with you:

* It has been noted here and in a couple media reports that Christopher Barbour (occupant of 16 Village Way) was arrested and charged with third degree domestic battery on December 23, 2010. This information caused a great deal of discussion and speculation about Barbour here at WS. What we have been unaware of is that Barbour is not the only one whose past has included violence; Brett Cummins has also been disciplined for violence. The backstory: Brett Cummins was fired by KARK 4 in May 2008 and rehired in September 2009. Cummins was rehired because he won a wrongful termination lawsuit against the station. I've been able to confirm that the reason KARK fired Cummins in May 2008: "he got into a fight at a bar in Little Rock" and was not arrested; the lawsuit settlement reinstated him.

* On September 7, Brett Cummins went to the doctor and got meds. Here is a link to that information Anyone want to speculate why Cummins needed meds?

* Based on Dexter Williams profile name on the website Recon.com (NSFW) which was DexonSpeedBoi, I think we can assume that the drug of choice on September 6 was crystal meth. This is important because it would negate Christopher Barbour's claim of sleeping for 10 hours after snorting "illegal drugs."

* To give us perspective on the size of the "hot tub" Williams, Barbour and Cummins were partying and playing in, I tracked down the jacuzzi tub installed at similar properties by the same builder on Village Way. It is much smaller than I would have guessed, you can view it here.

* The owner of the property at 16 Village Way is NOT Christopher Barbour, but is Jason Keith Taylor (Barbour's former partner). Jason Keith Taylor was also arrested and charged with third degree domestic battery on December 23, 2010. I can confirm that Taylor does NOT live at 16 Village Way (which leads me to speculate if any legal orders prevent him from living there). I was also surprised to learn that Dexter Williams was friends on Facebook with both Jason Keith Taylor and Brett Cummins but not Christopher Barbour. (I found this "interesting")

* The incident report noted "blood pooling to the head." I was unaware of what blood pooling is and found a good definition "The pooling of the blood can be a vital clue in determining the time of death and is known as hypostasis. This occurs when the blood ceases flowing, settling in the lowest parts of the body and in turn, causing the skin to become pink and red in colour. This process is complete in up to 6 hours after death. The main use of blood pooling analysis actually lies in helping to determine the death manner (noting that the location of the blood pools indicates the upright position of the body at the time of blood pooling) The process does however, form a method of predicting the time since death. " Source

* I would speculate that it is key that the "dog collar" was not removed when the scene was sanitized. If this was a death by asphyxiation, the collar would have covered up any minimal marks in my opinion.

* Brett Cummins continues to lead a carefree life and is currently (today thru Thursday) visiting a 21 year old friend in Dallas. and enjoying Texas nightlife. It would seem Cummins doesn't think there will be repercussions for his actions.

While it isn't a plethora of information, I hope that it helps us gain more insight into the death of Dexter Williams.

I am eagerly awaiting the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory's final report on Williams' death and the decisions made by the authorities on what, if any, charges will be filed in relation to the death of Dexter Williams.

I'd be thrilled to hear your thoughts, questions or feedback.

Thanks!

Thanks for all the information.

I agree it will be interesting to see what charges (if any) are eventually filed once the COD and MOD are determined according to the autopsy/TOX report.

My speculation is the MOD will be accidental and the COD will be most likely drug overdose. The ring of blood around the tub could have been caused by nasal bleeding from snorting of the drugs or from a drug overdose so I would not contribute the blood to foul play.

JMO

Also for your information the pooling of blood that causes the discoloration of the skin is also commonly referred to as lividity or livor mortis.

 

[Silkprint]

As a side note:
We watched something here last night about the making of Crystal Meth
OMG ..Batteries , drain cleaner and worse! How anyone can put it in their body amazes me .

 

[Joe Friday]

Maybe this case could give some insight as to what to expect if Mr. Cummins and/or Mr. Barbour are found guilty of supplying drugs to Mr. Williams.

JMO

Belleville man gets 8 years in overdose death.

Scott T. Weldon, 34, pled guilty on May 5 to a charge of distribution of heroin resulting in death. Court documents state that Weldon and 56-year-old David L. Roth, also of Belleville, drove to Edgemont, Ill. on Jan. 29, 2010, where they bought $120 of heroin from a dealer Weldon knew. The men returned to Roth's Belleville residence, where they ingested the drugs.

A short time afterward, Roth passed out. Weldon tried to revive him by pouring ice water on his groin. When it didn't work, Weldon said he left, thinking Roth would sleep it off. Police found Roth dead in his home six days later.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/...0b3-11e0-a022-0019bb30f31a.html#ixzz1YWHXbqUy

 

[HastingsChi]

Police: Manner of death in Maumelle Bathtub Case 'Undetermined'

Authorities said Thursday that a man discovered dead inside a bathtub at a Maumelle home died of "Asphyxia along with significant findings of Acute Combined Methamphetamine and Amphetamine Intoxication."

The body of 24-year-old Dexter Williams was discovered inside an empty whirlpool bathtub on September 5th. According to a police report, Williams had come to the home at 16 Village Way Drive the previous evening with 33-year-old Brett Cummins, a former local television meteorologist.

According to a statement issued by Maumelle police, "Associate Medical Examiner Frank J. Peretti, M.D. has officially listed the manner of death as undetermined...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."

The homeowner—36-year-old Christopher Barbour--told police that both Cummins and Williams fell asleep in the bathtub late in the evening of September 4th, after drinking and using what Barbour described as 'illegal narcotics.'

Cummins woke up Monday morning and discovered Williams' body. A police officer on the scene said in his report that Williams was wearing what he 'believed to be a dog collar.'

No charges have been filed in the case, and the investigation is still ongoing.




Here's the text of the statement issued by Maumelle police Thursday.

"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.

This case is currently a Maumelle Police Department open investigation."

And this from KTVH (Little Rock CBS Affiliate):
"Pulaski County Prosecuting Attorney Larry Jegley tells Today's THV that it's too soon in the investigation to determine whether or not to file charges."

 

[HastingsChi]

To me it sounds like there WILL be charges filed against Christopher Barbour and Brett Cummins.

 

[Nova]

To me it sounds like there WILL be charges filed against Christopher Barbour and Brett Cummins.

Thanks, as always, Hastings, for keeping us up-to-date on this case.

Does anyone have a theory as to what caused the asphyxiation?

No sign of strangulation.

I assume the report would have mentioned drowning if the victim drowned, either on bath water or on his own vomit.

What does that leave? Some sort of erotic asphyxiation that involves covering the nose and mouth but NOT cutting off breathing via strangulation?

 

[Joe Friday]

Thanks, as always, Hastings, for keeping us up-to-date on this case.

Does anyone have a theory as to what caused the asphyxiation?

No sign of strangulation.

I assume the report would have mentioned drowning if the victim drowned, either on bath water or on his own vomit.

What does that leave? Some sort of erotic asphyxiation that involves covering the nose and mouth but NOT cutting off breathing via strangulation?

Dexter was in a tub of water so drowning could be one cause of asphyxiation. Also vomit could be another cause from partying to hard that night if he would have vomited while passed out. You would think either of these causes could have been pin pointed by the ME during the autopsy.

Asthma is another not so well known cause of asphyxiation, I wonder if Dexter had possibly been diagnosed with asthma and possibly had an attack while he was passed out from the drugs and alcohol. Might be something the ME would want to look into if they haven't already.

Mr. Cummins could have also been lying across Dexters face and smothered him to death and this too would cause asphyxiation.

 

[wfgodot]

According to a statement issued by Maumelle police, "Associate Medical Examiner Frank J. Peretti, M.D. has officially listed the manner of death as undetermined...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."

snip-snip

Dr. Peretti's name may be familiar to some as he did the autopsies on the three victims in the West Memphis Three case in 1993.

 

[Nova]

snip-snip

Dr. Peretti's name may be familiar to some as he did the autopsies on the three victims in the West Memphis Three case in 1993.

Okay, NOW I feel confident!

 

[tezi]

Okay, NOW I feel confident!

I'm with you there Nova, and let's you and I not forget he did my BIL's autopsy....

HastingsChi, thanks for all of your informative updates. I do believe some sort of charges will be filed against Barbour and Cummins. Who knows what though, this is Arkansas.

 

[Silkprint]

Couldn't he have choked on his own vomit? there were no marks right ?

 

[Nova]

Couldn't he have choked on his own vomit? there were no marks right ?

As I understand it, that's quite common in cases of drug (including alcohol) use. However, I'm thinking the coroner would have found vomitus in the victim's throat, esophagus and lungs, if that were the case. (Ditto for water if the victim drowned on that.)

But by the same token, I'm not sure you can suffocate a grown man by covering his nose and mouth WITHOUT leaving some bruising in the struggle. Maybe you could if he were unconscious at the time or if he agreed to be suffocated as a sexual enhancement.

This is not my area of expertise, but I'm wondering if there is some way of temporarily suffocating someone as autoerotic asphyxiation that wouldn't leave a mark? If so, then the men who survived might have disposed of the device after the victim died.

That sounds really stupid to me, making an accident look like a murder. But then I think autoerotic asphyxiation sounds pretty stupid, too.

 

[Nova]

I'm with you there Nova, and let's you and I not forget he did my BIL's autopsy....

HastingsChi, thanks for all of your informative updates. I do believe some sort of charges will be filed against Barbour and Cummins. Who knows what though, this is Arkansas.

I do remember, tezi. If the WM3 hadn't made me a cynic about Arkansas LE, your personal experiences certainly would have!

 

[KeineLiebe]

HastingsChi, you mentioned earlier that they officially listed the manner of death as undetermined and the cause of death 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. This confirms my friend's claim that Dex was taking Adderall, and he apparently mixed it with meth, which is a recipe for disaster in itself, but it also totally supports what you've been saying all along... Barbour's story was totally fabricated and that it was conceived in order to cover up whatever happened that night. I'm not sure how you knew so early on, but I'm completely convinced now.

Dexter was in a tub of water so drowning could be one cause of asphyxiation. Also vomit could be another cause from partying to hard that night if he would have vomited while passed out. You would think either of these causes could have been pin pointed by the ME during the autopsy.

Asthma is another not so well known cause of asphyxiation, I wonder if Dexter had possibly been diagnosed with asthma and possibly had an attack while he was passed out from the drugs and alcohol. Might be something the ME would want to look into if they haven't already.

Mr. Cummins could have also been lying across Dexters face and smothered him to death and this too would cause asphyxiation.

I think they ruled out drowning and vomit, but some other options certainly seem plausible.

Possible scenarios:

First, the asphyxiation could have been part of a sex act, which happens more likely than most people realize. Erotic asphyxiation is practiced by partners and individuals for for pleasure, and accidentally killing yourself in this manner is more common than I realized because the adolescents who die this way are usually listed as suicides to protect the family of the deceased. http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=51776

Second, your comment that Cummins may have been lying across his face seems worth consideration. It's embarrassing to admit this, but I've had an experience with a man was overly aggressive and who choked me (not with his hands) to the point where I couldn't breathe and ended up pushing him off me so I could catch my breath. (Sorry to get a little too personal there, but it's an experience I expect many people have encountered at some point, and guys can be overly aggressive when drunk and/or inebriated.

Lastly, the possibility of Dexter having had an asthma attack is unlikely but not impossible. It would just make their story sound even more peculiar though. If it was asthma, why was there blood?

And I want to know why they lied about what really went on that night! Obviously nobody slept that night, and there is no excuse for Cummins leaving, both men cleaning the scene, and nobody calling 911 to get help as soon as he lost consciousness. These two better not be granted a "Get out of Jail Free Card" for this. The Arkansas' justice system is so incompetent that nothing surprises me, but I'll hope for the best. The Maumelle Police need to contact HastingsChi; he's apparently doing their job better than they are right now.

 

[Nova]

Thanks for the link, KL. That answers my question as to how to "play" with asphyxiation without leaving any marks: plastic bag.

Seems to me we need to do a better job educating people about the dangers of "asphyxiation for fun."

I've done plays where a character had to be hanged and, after doing just a little research, we took all sorts of precautions. In one case, we literally Scotch-taped the rope lightly to the rafters; the actor was in a fly harness (such as used for "Peter Pan"), but we wanted to make sure the rope around his neck wouldn't hold just in case the harness somehow broke. And he was surrounded by hundreds of people in case of emergency, but apparently there are rare cases where death from strangulation is almost instantaneous.

 

[HastingsChi]

Dexter was in a tub of water so drowning could be one cause of asphyxiation.

JoeFriday: the tub was actually empty.

Mr. Cummins could have also been lying across Dexters face and smothered him to death and this too would cause asphyxiation.

I had a similar theory after reviewing the police report for the hundredth time but have decided evidence rules out that possibility. If the drug of choice was anything but crystal meth, I'd be open to that theory; but when the medical examiner confirmed the evidence I had uncovered and shared earlier in this thread that it was crystal meth, this theory went right out the window.

Unless Cummins and Barbour had been partying on crystal meth for days and days, there is no way that they would have been sleeping (and all three of them falling asleep on crystal meth? come on...).

 

[HastingsChi]

there were no marks right ?

What about the blood at the bottom of the tub?

There are three ways one can do crystal meth:
1) Snort it up the nose: In his statement Christopher Barbour stated they snorted drugs.
2) Smoke it in a glass pipe: In his statement Barbour mentioned cleaning up glassware in the bathroom. (Maybe he was going to get another hit from the pipe?)
3) Inject it into the veins: As scary as this sounds, injection is becoming the preferred way for people to do crystal meth. As someone who is terrified of needles and can't even see a needle on TV without looking away, this baffles me. (Might an injection gone wrong have led to asphyxiation followed by a cover-up?)

 

[Nova]

JoeFriday: the tub was actually empty.



I had a similar theory after reviewing the police report for the hundredth time but have decided evidence rules out that possibility. If the drug of choice was anything but crystal meth, I'd be open to that theory; but when the medical examiner confirmed the evidence I had uncovered and shared earlier in this thread that it was crystal meth, this theory went right out the window.

Unless Cummins and Barbour had been partying on crystal meth for days and days, there is no way that they would have been sleeping (and all three of them falling asleep on crystal meth? come on...).

Hastings, I think some of us have assumed the tub MIGHT have been full at some earlier time. Didn't somebody mention a ring of blood? That would suggest there was water in the tub and the blood was floating on top of the water. (ETA I see you understand the blood was at the bottom of the tub, so never mind this question.)

Also, the OP who mentioned somebody smothering the victim by lying on him wasn't assuming the person on top was asleep. The example given has the suffocation happening during copulation (i.e., with the victim on the bottom).

 

[HastingsChi]

HastingsChi, you mentioned earlier that they officially listed the manner of death as undetermined and the cause of death 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. This confirms my friend's claim that Dex was taking Adderall, and he apparently mixed it with meth, which is a recipe for disaster in itself, but it also totally supports what you've been saying all along... Barbour's story was totally fabricated and that it was conceived in order to cover up whatever happened that night. I'm not sure how you knew so early on, but I'm completely convinced now.

Being in my early 30's, single, gay and living in a major cities with large GLBT communities, I have been exposed to/experienced a lot of different scenes, situations and drama. One of the things that attracted me to this case was: Dexter looks like someone I used to date and the plethora of lies I saw in the police report that I was confident I could uncover by utilizing knowledge of GLBT online sites and experience in investigative journalism.

That being said, I have chatted with guys who regularly mix Adderall and Crystal Meth and seem not to incur the side effects that you'd describe as a "recipe for disaster". But, I don't know-- about 5 years ago I was on deadline digitally editing a video news story and needed to focus and stay awake. A friend gave me an Adderall pill which I took and, while I met my deadline, I also spent the next three days being unable to sleep-- far worse than any drug I had experimented with when I was younger. If Dexter was prescribed Adderall, he wouldn't have experienced the issues I did.

First, the asphyxiation could have been part of a sex act, which happens more likely than most people realize.

I agree and would ask the class a question: When I think of strangulation I think hands around the neck, but if the dog collar was (a) the method of asphyxiation (b) attached to a leash-like device; would that be considered strangulation?

Second, your comment that Cummins may have been lying across his face seems worth consideration. It's embarrassing to admit this, but I've had an experience with a man was overly aggressive and who choked me (not with his hands) to the point where I couldn't breathe and ended up pushing him off me so I could catch my breath.

I see KL's scenario more likely than JoeFriday's as JF's assumes Cummins & Barbour were both sleeping and Cummins shoulder accidentally cut off Williams' air pipe while Cummins slept.

And I want to know why they lied about what really went on that night! Obviously nobody slept that night, and there is no excuse for Cummins leaving, both men cleaning the scene, and nobody calling 911 to get help as soon as he lost consciousness.

I couldn't agree more.

Here is something that crossed my mind for weeks you guys might want to comment on: Might the plan have been for Cummins to dispose of evidence, get himself cleaned up and then go to the TV station, record the infamous weather forecast and return to Barbour's to deal with the situation? Maybe Cummins was taking too long and Barbour became a Nervous Nellie and called the police. Thoughts?

These two better not be granted a "Get out of Jail Free Card" for this. The Arkansas' justice system is so incompetent that nothing surprises me, but I'll hope for the best. The Maumelle Police need to contact HastingsChi; he's apparently doing their job better than they are right now.

Dexter Williams' family should definitely file a wrongful death suit against Barbour and Cummins.

Thanks for your compliment; I'd be more than happy to discuss what I've shared here and more (that I haven't shared here yet) with anyone associated with Maumelle Police Department case #11-4587-OF documenting the sudden death of Dexter Williams.