TV weatherman found asleep in hot tub with naked dead man wearing 'dog collar'

Investigators have not ruled out foul play in the death of a young Arkansas man whose body was discovered in an empty bathtub next to a sleeping TV meteorologist. Dexter Williams, 24, of Mountain Pine, Ark., was found dead early on Monday inside the bathtub - naked and wearing a silver dog collar-style chain around his neck. The man's friend, 33-year-old Little Rock weatherman Brett Cummins, was asleep and lying next to him at the home in Maumelle, Ark., according to police. The homeowner, 36-year-old Christopher Barbour, reportedly made the discovery after hearing loud snoring coming from the master bathroom.

Maumelle Police spokesman Lt. Jim Hansard said that traces of blood were found in the bathtub and that authorities are considering foul play in their investigation. He said police are awaiting the results of an autopsy and toxicology tests conducted Tuesday on Williams. No charges have been filed, though police suspect drugs and alcohol were involved, Hansard said. "We have not ruled out foul play," he said. "This is an open investigation."



At around 8 p.m. on Sunday, Cummins brought Williams over to Barbour's house, where the three drank and snorted illegal drugs, Barbour reportedly told investigators. He said Cummins and Williams got into the bathtub in his bathroom at around 10 p.m. and continued to drink. Barbour reportedly told police he discovered the pair in the bathroom at around 8 a.m. the next day. He said he shook Cummins, who was snoring, and the two of them then tried to wake up Williams.

Cummins reportedly screamed when he saw William's discoloured face and bolted from the bathroom and vomited on the living room carpet. A spokesman for KARK-TV in Little Rock, where Cummins works as a weatherman, said, "Our meteorologist Brett Cummins was at the home at the time of the death and we felt we should share this with our viewers. Brett will not be on the air as he is mourning the loss of his friend. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Dexter Williams."