Local News

Drug overdoses likely in Raleigh balcony deaths

The findings from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found lethal doses of oxymorphone in the systems of 19-year-old Zachary Martin Tigner and 21-year-old Ray Allan Ausbon.

Posted Updated
Ray Ausbon and Zachary Tigner
RALEIGH, N.C. — Two men found dead on a fire escape near downtown Raleigh likely died of a drug overdose, according to autopsy reports released Wednesday.

The findings from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner found lethal doses of the painkiller oxymorphone in the systems of 19-year-old Zachary Martin Tigner and 21-year-old Ray Allan Ausbon.

The two were found Oct. 2 on the second-story balcony of Boylan Apartment Complex.

Raleigh police had suspected a recreational drug called mephedrone in the deaths. Autopsies found that the substance was present in their blood and that it was likely a contributing factor.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, mephedrone – also known as “drone,” “meow-meow,” “bubbles” or “bounce,” – is being increasingly used among young males, ages 15-24, as a recreational drug in the nightclub scene because of its hallucinogenic effects.

It is legal and sold over the Internet, not only as plant food, but also as a research chemical and bath salts, according to the DEA.

The autopsy report also said alprazolam, used to treat anxiety, was a likely factor in their deaths also.

Because Tigner was found partially leaning on a railing, medical examiners could not rule out asphyxiation, saying it is possible his position was because of his underlying intoxication.

 Credits 

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.