Published: June 29, 2009 11:29 am      

911 caller: Pitchman Mays found cold, unresponsive

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A frantic woman tells emergency operators she found television pitchman Billy Mays cold and unresponsive on 911 tapes released by authorities in Florida.

The boisterous, bearded Mays was known for pitching cleaning products and gadgets in commercials that aired nationwide. The 50-year-old was found dead by his wife Sunday morning.

On emergency tapes released Monday, a woman says she found Mays cold to the touch after waking up. The caller, who isn't identified, says his lips are purple and that he isn't breathing.

When asked what had happened, she says she doesn't know.

A second person who got on the phone tells the operator that Mays is dead.

Autopsy results are expected Monday afternoon.