I've never read anything about vomit in his throat or mouth though, 31. I don't say there wasn't, and maybe ducey can shed some light - still, it seems as though he may have struck his head on the way down, perhaps his breathing was compromised in some other way. If he's totally unconscious in two different ways it wouldn't even have to be a huge complication to put massive stress on an already overworked heart and kidneys.
The night before he died, Sonny was in California. He left Los Angeles at 1:00 AM, and drove 5-hours to Las Vegas. Maybe he used a little 'coke' pick me up on the drive back. No one had contact with him that day, Wednesday, December 30, 1970. The last person to see him was the Valet/Parking Attendant at the Biltmore Hotel, as Liston was getting into his car. The last person that was supposed to meet with him, was Gary Bates, on Wednesday Evening, after his Black-Jack dealer shift at Circuc Circus. None of Sonny Liston's neighbors saw Sonny Wednesday, but his Cadillac and his wife's Cadillac were both parked under the car port all day.
Didn't Sonny enjoy a lot of deep southern cooking that wasn't particularly good for you? That's certainly not good on the body, decades of eating crap like that.
Well, i'm sure that was a contributing factor. But Sonny Liston was in excellent physical condition in Decemeber 1969. And during 1970, He had been working out regularly at The Sahara Hotel Health Club, and at Johnny Tocco's Ringside Gym. Take into account, he was participating in 4-5 mile runs with sparring partner Gary Bates, 3 to 4 times a week. And his manager/advisor Davey Pearl was a fitness guru, who Sonny worked out with several times a week.
Falling asleep, could be as close as possible. He was up all night, till the early morning, Monday the 28th He was up all day and night Tuesday, December 29, and left Los Angeles at 1:00 AM, and drove back home to Las Vegas. Maybe he was 'tooting it up' on the drive home, to stay awake. Got home at 6:00 AM, and passed out.
If that was the case the autopsy would make it very clear that vomit blocked the airways. From what Il duce posted it does no such thing. It says the morphine and codine could be residue from heroin, but is there no possibility they could be from elsewhere? Do normal medications containing these chemicals not leave residue in the tissue also? Is it not more likely he died of the health issues mentioned? I find it more believable that his body packed in one day. He was a big man, not that healthy for a athlete and had a weak heart (as mentioned in the autopsy). Seemingly healthy people die all the time and often cause of death is often never found.
Sonny Liston was in the Las Vegas Hospital Emergency Room two-weeks earlier, and had been treated for flu like symptoms. He did receive an IV for dehydration. He may also have been on medication. But hospital files were never found. Sonny was also, a 100% certified 'Hypochondriac'
Tito, According to the Police Report, 1/4 ounce of marijuana was found and 1/4 ounce of heroin. That doesn't mean Sonny Liston was using any of the drugs, but it doesn't make him a Boy Scout either. He may have been a small-time dealer or go-between for friends, casino players and employees at The International Hotel. He did work at The Hotel, and provided personal security for celebrities as well as providing floor security in the Keno Gaming Lounge.
Don't be stupid. I'm saying if there's a conspiracy, that one would be most likely. It's hardly on a par with the far more repeated and far more far-fetched (IMO) theory that Liston was murdered, given a "hot-shot" by mobsters because he owed money or something. All I'm saying is that perhaps some police in Las Vegas in the 1960s are not over-concerned about investigating some decomposed "badass ni*gger" who seems to have died alone. Sometimes police have a dozens of similar unsolved cases, and don't need another, certainly not a famous one. Sorry, but people are flawed, they are not perfect, including police. And, yes, finding out the true cause of the death of a black man with criminal record is not always the police's priority. Or are you gonna tell me prejudice and corrupt policing never existed ? :roll: Whether they planted drugs or not, who knows. I'm not saying it happened, I'm saying it's the most likely of the various "conspiracies" offered on this case. It's more likely, IMO, than Liston's outright murder. I dont know, or care. Maybe the drugs were Liston's. Or maybe Liston's friend left them there. Hey, maybe the drugs were Liston's wife's. If the autopsy had said "Yes, definitely a heroin overdose" then at least we know that. But the autopsy doesn't even seem at all firm on that. Even the traces in his blood are the same elements that could stem from other medications. He was dead many days, badly decomposed. They was no absolute on-the-scene evidence of a drugs overdose. Drugs in his house could mean anything.
Sonny Liston did have '2' very good Las Vegas Attorney's. Jay Brown, and Oscar Goodman. If anything was of a concern, those two would have squashed it. Like you said, MR UN, The drugs could have easily been a friends or acquaintance, or maybe Sonny was a go-between to get some 'goodies' for someone at The International Hotel.
Interesting theories guys. Just out of interest does anybody have any info on the suspicious deaths of two more of Liston's top ranked opponents from the era. Zora Folly & Eddie Machen ? There seems to be some controversy about Folley's death, accidently hitting his head on a flagstone in a swimming pool ? It seems the people he was with at the time did not fit in with Folley's 'good guy ' image. All I have heard about Machen was that he fell out of a window ! Or was he pushed ? Anyone have further thoughts ?
I know Machen had a history of mental illness. Maybe that would account for him "falling" from a window.
Among other things, Eddie Machen had some serious financial issues, but did have a decent job at the time of his death. Zora Folley had invested wisely, and was doing quite well at the time of his death.
I've read his recently released full autopsy report. He died of a heart attack. He had pulmonary emphysema and quite marked atherosclerosis of the bundles of His (pronounced hiss) in his heart. Microscopic ****yses of his veins showed no scarring ie not an intravenous drug user. Essentially he had the cardiovascular system of a very old man. Still fighting as an elite sportsman like this makes his achievements all the more remarkable.