Zachery Tims’ Sudden Death: Another Drug Overdose?
Pastor Zachery Tims, the founder of Florida megachurch the New Destiny Christian Center, passed away unexpectedly in August of this year. After a lengthy legal battle, the Apopoka, Fl. preacher's cause of death may be released later this week. zacherytims.com

Thousands of people came out on Saturday to pay their last respects to megachurch pastor Zachery Tims during a funeral service on Saturday.

The service was held at the First Baptist Church of Orlando, not Tims' home church, but one that was large enough to hold the crowd that gathered.

Oh, the church was packed, said Herb McMillan who attended the funeral, to News 13. Just the memories that I had with him, talking with him one on one or in service. I had to be here to say 'thank you.'

McMillan knew Pastor Tims while attending New Destiny Christian Center.

Tims, 42, founded New Destiny Christian Center — an 8,000-member church — in 1996 after moving to Orlando with ex-wife Riva, whom he survived by with four children.

Tims had an addiction to drugs but gave it up when he became a Christian. He was found dead in a New York City hotel room last week with an envelope containing white substance, believed to be narcotics, in his pocket.

No official cause of death has been determined, as an autopsy came back inconclusive. However, police believe Tims' may have died of a drug overdose. The New York Medical Examiner said toxicology is being donw and it could take weeks.

In the meantime, New York police are continuing their investigation by checking on Tims' whereabouts during his stay in New York and his phone records.

Police don't suspect foul play in the incident.

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