Zachery Tims Death: Fla. Pastor's Mother Visits Church During Paula White's Appearance (VIDEO)
Madeline Tims, mother of late pastor Zachery Tims, visited her son's megachurch in Apopka, Fla., on Oct. 16, the same Sunday minister Paula White of Without Walls International Church, delivered a "moving forward" sermon to the New Destiny Christian Center (NDCC) congregation.
Madeline Tims' appearance at the special service was noted by White during her greeting to NDCC worshipers. NDCC administrators have published a video recording of the service in four parts on the church's YouTube channel.
In the video, White can be seen calling out to Madeline Tims and encouraging the New Destiny congregation to applaud her.
"Mama Madeline, it's so good to see you. We love you so much," White says.
Part one of White's visit to NDCC is seen below (see parts 2, 3, 4):
Pastor Tims' mother, Madeline Tims, filed a temporary restraining order against New York City's chief medical examiner office to prevent officials from issuing a press release on the cause of the late Florida pastor's death, according to legal documents made public.
According to a copy of the injunction order filed by Madeline Tims' attorney in Manhattan Supreme Court, the city medical examiner's office was prepared to issue a press release on Tims' death on Friday, Oct. 7.
The temporary restraining order has prevented NYC medical officials "from issuing a press release on Friday, October 7, 2011 at approximately 12 noon" to "publicly [report] the cause and [manner] of the death [of] Pastor Zachary Tims. Jr."
The temporary court order also prevents officials with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner from "making any oral or written statements or comments to the public or responding in any manner to any inquiries from the public concerning the cause and manner of the death of Pastor Zachary Tims, Jr. until further notice..."
Pastor Tims was found dead on Aug. 12 in his room at the W. Hotel in New York City. Investigators have ruled out foul play, and police sources close to the case have reportedly claimed a speculation that drugs might have been involved. A glassine envelope with white powder was reportedly found in Tims' right pants pocket at the time of his death. Those claims, however, have not been substantiated.
The Christian Post spoke with the New York Chief Medical Examiner's office Oct. 6 and was informed that only the cause and manner of Tims' death can be made available to the public, according to New York law. Spokeswoman Ellen Borakove told CP that the actual toxicology report can only be seen by next of kin.
"The Medical Examiner's Office does not release autopsy reports to the public. Rather, it discloses the cause and manner of death upon public inquiry. The City feels it's important to make this information available to the public. The Law Department will defend this challenge to the Medical Examiner's ability to do so," Ave Maria Brennan, of the New York City Law Department, told Central Florida 13 News.
In order to keep this information from the public, Tims' family will have to prove in court on Nov. 23 that there are compelling reasons to withhold a disclosure on Tims' cause of death.