Coroner says politician's death caused by combination of drugs

CONYERS - Former Rockdale County Commission Chairman Randy Poynter died of ``respiratory arrest accidently brought on by a combination of drugs that overwhelmed his respiratory system,&#39;&#39; the coroner&#39;s office said Wednesday. <br> <br> Tests conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation found that Poynter had traces of the stimulant ephedrine in his system, as well as chemicals commonly found in anti-anxiety prescription drugs and pain pills when he died last month, Deputy Coroner David Briscoe said. <br> <br> ``There was no indication he was trying to hurt himself,&#39;&#39; Briscoe said. <br> <br> Briscoe said it was not likely ephedrine or the other drugs along would have led to Poynter&#39;s death. <br> <br> ``It was just a bad combination,&#39;&#39; said Poynter&#39;s sister, Andrea Poynter McDaniel, a Richmond, Va., television news anchor. ``We&#39;re just devastated. It was his time to go.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> Poynter&#39;s family requested a test for ephedrine, a key ingredient in the weight loss supplement Metabolife. Friends and family members said Poynter used Metabolife to lose about 30 pounds in six weeks last fall. <br> <br> Briscoe said Poynter&#39;s system contained ``trace amounts&#39;&#39; of ephedrine. The GBI toxicology report indicated larger quantities of diazepam, which is found in anti-anxiety drugs such as Valium. There were also traces of propoxyphene, found in the pain drugs Darvon and Darvocet. <br> <br> Metabolife spokeswoman Jan Strode said the coroner&#39;s report ``has confirmed that there were only trace amounts of ephedrine found in Mr. Poynter&#39;s blood, which could have been from Metabolife, or for that matter, another cold medicine.&#39;&#39; <br> <br> ``It is scientifically inconceivable that such trace amounts could have contributed in any fashion to Mr. Poynter&#39;s death,&#39;&#39; Strode said. <br> <br> Poynter&#39;s wife, Libby, found her husband dead in their home the morning of Jan. 20. Just 24 hours earlier, the former Republican candidate for lieutenant governor had announced a run for the County Commission chairmanship, his sister said.