DENVER -- Police and coroner's investigators said Saturday there was no sign of foul play in the death of 53-year-old Don Poier, the longtime
play-by-play broadcaster for the Memphis Grizzlies who was found dead in the team's Denver hotel before a game against the Nuggets.
Poier's body was found Friday. The cause of death had not been determined.
"I'm being told by our homicide commander there is nothing suspicious about the death," police spokesman John White said.
Denver coroner's investigator Raylene Smith said an autopsy conducted Saturday found no sign of trauma. She said it could take four to six weeks to
determine the cause of death, after the results of toxicology and lab tests are reported.
"We're not going to have a lot of answers for a while," she said.
Poier was the voice of the Grizzlies since their inception in 1995, when they played in Vancouver. He moved with the team to Memphis in 2001. Poier
started as the radio announcer and moved to TV side this season.
Before joining the Grizzlies, Poier called Pac-10 football and basketball games for more than 20 years.
The Nuggets and Grizzlies observed a moment of silence in Poier's honor before Friday night's game, which the Nuggets won 92-82.
"It is just a devastating thing for the franchise, because he's one of the original people," coach Mike Fratello said.
The Grizzlies posted a statement on their Web site saying, "Our thoughts and prayers are with Don's wife, Barbara, and their entire family. Don
thanked God every day that he got to do this job. He loved the Grizzlies, the city of Memphis and the fans more than anything."
Funeral arrangements were pending.
source
ESPN