Michael Baze’s post mortem relays no cause of death, further investigation continues
A toxicology test performed on Michael Baze’s body left the coroners clueless regarding what could possibility be the cause of his death. The Jockey was found dead in a parked car with the engine running, so he was tested for traces of carbon monoxide.
According to Jefferson County, coroner, Barbara Weakley Jones, said, “There was not good evidence of carbon monoxide… you can see that generally in a body when you do the autopsy, because it turns the blood cherry red, It doesn’t mean it’s always seen, though
and sometimes we’re fooled—our eyes aren’t as good as we think they are”.
Weakley Jones also said that it could take a while before a conclusive result about Michael Baze’s death can be deduced. Blood and urine samples have also been taken. They will be examined to see whether alcohol or any drug was administered that could have
caused his death.
Michael Baze died on May 10th, 2011, found dead in his vehicle in the Churchill Downs stable area by emergency workers. An autopsy was unable to provide any conclusive information regarding the cause of death.
Michael Baze was a leading rider at Arlington Park and Hollywood Park.
Michael Baze’s death took place two days before the jockey was to appear in court for a hearing on cocaine abuse. Following his arrest by the Louisville police, he was charged with first degree possession of cocaine in November 2010. When he was searched
he was in possession of a small bag of cocaine in his trouser’s pocket.
The jockey was well-known and all who found about his death were shocked and saddened to hear about it.
Commemorating his death, Joe Talamo, said, “It’s something you can’t stop thinking about, We were close, but he also kept to himself. It’s like you had to say something for him to open up to you. It’s just so sad. Everybody’s upset about this”.
Joe Talamo rode alongside Baze in Southern California.
Peter Artieda, a fellow jockey and a close friend of the deceased, told that he was to meet Michael Baze on the 9th of May but couldn’t because he cancelled the plan.
Artieda told the press, “We were supposed to actually hang out Monday during the day; He was supposed to ride at Indiana (Downs) Monday night. He had texted me, actually, Monday afternoon saying that he fell asleep and that he was sorry that he didn't get
back to me”.
Michael Baze did not only belong to a leading riding family, but was a man with exceptional talent as well. He contested in 918 races and his lifetime earnings were around $32.4 million. The 24 year-old was son of a retired jockey, Mike Baze.
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