A white powdery substance believed to be narcotics was discovered on the body of a megachurch pastor who was discovered dead in a Times Square hotel room, reports WSJ.com.
Pastor Zachery Tims of New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, Florida, 42, was found dead at the W Hotel in Times Square Saturday.
His cause of death is still pending.
A law enforcement official familiar with the case said, “what that white powdery substance is and whether it played a role in Mr. Tims’ death is still to be determined.”
Police found no signs of trauma to his body. At this point criminality is not suspected, officials said. Detectives spoke with his family members and it appears Tims died in possession of his jewelry and other belongings.
Zachery Tims had led what he admits was a “messed-up life.” But he left that behind and devoted his life to preaching, telling millions that “it’s never too late” to start over.
His testimony of a changed life, after a bout with drugs and gangs, was reflected in the name of the church he started – New Destiny Christian Center in Apopka, Fla. – and told in his 2006 book It’s Never Too Late: How a teenage criminal found his divine destiny and became an entrepreneur and pastor of a thriving church with a global ministry.
Condolences have poured out across the nation as many grieve the loss of the young, 42-year-old pastor who wasn’t without his share of difficulty, weaknesses and scandal. He and his wife, Riva Tims, ended their 15-year- marriage after it was learned Tims had been involved in a yearlong affair with an exotic dancer, Judy Nguyen. It was approximately this time two years ago that their divorce was finalized in August 2009. Following the news of the affair, Zachery Tims stepped down from ministry to receive counseling.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
The funeral has been scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 20 at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Orlando.Tims’ funeral will be preceded by a wake at NDCC on Friday, August 19, in which Tims’ body will be lying in state from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will also be a limited viewing at First Baptist Church of Orlando, according to NDCC minister Wanda Robinson.
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