Florida Senate president's son dead of apparent OD

[seafan]

Source: Miami Herald

TALLAHASSEE --
The oldest son of Florida Senate President Ken Pruitt died early Wednesday morning from an apparent accidental overdose, according to the Tallahassee Police Department. .....
Kathy Mears, a spokeswoman for the senator, said the family asked that their privacy be ``honored and respected.''

''President Pruitt's eldest son died in Tallahassee early this morning,'' said Mears. ``Details are still emerging regarding the circumstances of his passing. President Pruitt and his family appreciate the thoughts and prayers of friends and family during this difficult time. The enormity of the loss of Ken Jr. is indescribable. During this time of grief, the family is asking that their privacy be honored and respected.''

Pruitt died at the home of an older gentleman who declined to be identified on Wednesday. He told the Miami Herald that he met Pruitt a year and a half ago at Brothers, a Tallahassee bar. The two were there again Tuesday and the friend said Pruitt went home with him and seemed alright.
They hung out and fell asleep. When the friend awoke about 1 am, he saw Pruitt wasn't breathing. He called 911, and performed CPR until emergency workers arrived. It was too late. He said police were there until 4 am. He said he had no idea what would have caused his death.

''Ken was just a great guy. He lifted your spirits,'' the man said. ``When he was down, I would cheer him up. I'm going to miss him.''
He said they had much in common: the gentleman was divorced and had two kids, Pruitt was divorced and had a daughter who was about 4 years old.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking_news/story/196527.html

[Doctor_J]

1. The drug problem is one that crosses all boundaries

race, creed, color, income bracket, education level - it's everywhere.

[aquart]

2. One of the best gay bars in town.

<http://cityguide.aol.com/tallahassee/bestgaybars>

[MADem]

4. Who was the fellah he went home with? Mark Foley?

I mean, really---the kid (kid aged 29) goes home with a guy and DIES under suspicious circumstances.

You really think if it was Al Gore, Junior, say, that they'd "decline to name" the person he was with?

Hmmm.

[aquart]

7. Another divorced civilian.

I'm reasonably impressed that they kept his name quiet. Since he seems to be clinging to his closet.

[ROakes1019]

15. misreading

I misread this to say, "They hugged and then went to sleep." Perhaps that was a Freudian slip on my part.

[dipsydoodle]

9. I'd wondered why it said

"when he was down..............."

[MADem]

3. I wonder how many times he was busted and it was covered up, a la Noelle Bush?

Was this his first and fatal intro to drugs, or is there a history there?

Kenneth Pruitt Jr., 29, worked as an information technology employee with Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. At around 1:01 a.m., police responded to a call from a house in north Tallahassee where Pruitt was found.

[dipsydoodle]

10. As in this Noelle Bush ?

[Mojorabbit]

5. Heartbreaking

to lose a child.

[rodeodance]

6. Kenneth Pruitt Jr., 29, worked as an information technology employee with Tallahassee Memorial Hospi

Kenneth Pruitt Jr., 29, worked as an information technology employee with Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. At around 1:01 a.m., police responded to a call from a house in north Tallahassee where Pruitt was found.

John Creamer, a spokesman for the police department, said there were no signs of trauma or foul play and that witnesses on the scene led police to believe that Pruitt died of an overdose. Creamer did not say what may have caused the overdose.

''It's an unusual death for someone so young,'' said Creamer. ``It appears at this time to be an accidental overdose.''

[rodeodance]

8. "gentleman'; 'older gentleman"-----umm. seems to be a odd way to describe

the other man.

[rocktivity]

13. I don't think this is what The Everly Brothers meant by

Whatta we gonna tell your mama
Whatta we gonna tell your pa
Whatta we gonna tell our friends when they say “ooh-la-la”...

:eyes:
rocknation

[shain from kane]

11. Can you overdose on amyl nitrite? n/t

[ejbr]

12. His poor daughter.

To lose a parent while so young is heart-breaking.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

14. DADDY LOOKS SWEET TO ME.....

[seafan]

16. More information:

Police responded to a 911 call about 1 a.m. Wednesday from Ken Pruitt Jr.'s friend Sam Coskey. Coskey said he called from his home near Monroe Street and Interstate 10 when he realized Mr. Pruitt wasn't breathing.

"He was a good friend," said Coskey, 62. "I'm going to miss him very much."

Coskey said the two men met about 18 months ago at Brothers, a Tallahassee bar where Coskey worked at the time as a doorman. He said they formed a friendship after realizing both had been divorced.

Coskey and Mr. Pruitt were at Brothers again Tuesday night, but Coskey said he could not comment about a possible overdose.

"It seemed like to me that he had too much to drink," Coskey said.

Police said Coskey attempted CPR on Mr. Pruitt, who died at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare hospital.

Mr. Pruitt worked at the hospital as a computer network administrator. The hospital declined comment.

......

Court records also showed that Mr. Pruitt was twice convicted for driving under the influence in Tallahassee, once in October 2005 and again 11 months later.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/state/epaper/2007/08/09/m1a_PRUITT_0809.html