FAMILY COVER-UP: Family Delays Release of Zachery Tims Toxicology Results

The New York City Medical Examiner's office knows exactly what that white powdery substance found on Zachery Tims' body was. But we don't. And it's because the family doesn't want us to know. According to The Orlando Sentinel the family expressed concerns about releasing the toxicology results to the public and may be going to court to try to have the results sealed permanently.

It is not uncommon for family members to request that a cause or death, or autopsy results, be withheld from the public, she said. In Florida, the only way to prevent that is for a judge to seal the documents.

"We get that a lot: Don't release this. We explain right up front that we have to release it," Garavaglia said. "If you don't want it released, you have to go to the courts."

In New York, the autopsy and toxicology reports are not public record, Borakove said. But she said the cause of death — including the presence of poisons, medications, alcohol and illicit drugs in the body — and the nature of the white powder would be released to the media.

Borakove originally said those results should be available last week. When they weren't, she said it was because of the family's concerns.

Borakove did not return phone call requests Wednesday for an explanation about why family concerns should prevent the release of the results. Attempts to contact Tims' ex-wife, Riva Tims, also were not answered. A call to Tim's church, New Destiny Christian Center, was not returned.

At this point, the family's move to have the results covered up seems like an admission that the 42-year-old pastor was indeed under the influence of drugs when he was found dead on the floor of the upscale W Hotel in Times Square.

EEW Magazine will keep you updated as the story develops.