Florida

The New York City Medical Examiner's office has delayed Florida minister Zachery Tims' toxicology results, which will determine the cause of his death, at the request of Tims' family, who may be considering starting a court case to keep the results secret, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

Tims, the senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Church in Apopka, Fla., was found dead in his room at the W Hotel in Times Square Aug. 12.

The NYC Medical Examiner office’s spokeswoman, Ellen Borakove, told the Sentinel that the toxicology report and the results of the tests of the white powder found on Tims at the time of his death were not yet released because of the family’s "concerns." She reportedly did not specify what those concerns were, but she confirmed that the Tims' kin is looking to keep the results secret via a court order. more >>

An executive administrator at New Destiny Christian Center (NDCC) told The Christian Post Tuesday in an exclusive interview that the church Zachery Tims left behind is "looking forward to moving on with the ministry" now that the 30 days of mourning for the Florida minister has been completed.

Minister Samuel Anderson spoke with CP almost two months after Tims, the charismatic leader of the Apopka, Fla., church was found dead in a New York City hotel room. Investigators have yet to determine the cause of death.

According to Anderson, NDCC is taking the appropriate steps to ensure an effective transition. But he explained, "We have not completed the final requirements" needed to guide the church to the right candidate that would be presented before the board of bishops. more >>

The toxicology results that are to determine whether Florida minister Zachery Tims had drugs in his system at the moment of his death were not obtainable Friday, despite previous reports that the results would be available this week.

A representative with the New York Chief Medical Examiner's office informed The Christian Post on Sept. 23 that the results would be available the following week. As of Friday, no updates were available. CP has been following up daily with the examiner's office and was told Friday, Sept. 30, that the toxicology results for Tims were not yet ready.

Seven weeks have passed since the senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Church (NDCC) in Apopka, Fla., was found dead in his room at the W. Hotel in Times Square on Aug. 12. more >>

Calls have apparently been increasing for Zachery Tims' former wife, Riva Tims, to return to the Florida megachurch they founded together 15 years ago to fill the gap left by Tims, who passed away last month.

In a post published on her official Facebook page Monday, Riva Tims addressed questions from members of New Destiny Christian Center (NDCC) who wanted to know if their former first lady would be returning to fill the position her ex-husband left behind.

"In response to so many of your inquiries... I have gotten an overwhelming response from my New Destiny Family to come home and/or at least minister to them," Riva Tims wrote. "However, I have not been contacted by NDCC staff to return or to assist in the transition. I will continue to pray and cover NDCC, that the vision Zack and I birthed will continue! Thanks for all of your love and prayers." more >>

A representative with the New York Chief Medical Examiner's office told The Christian Post Tuesday that the much-anticipated toxicology results for Zachery Tims should be available this week.

The test results, expected to be available on Sept. 28 or 29, are crucial for determining the cause of death for the Florida minister who was found dead in his room at the W. Hotel in Times Square on Aug. 12.

Senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Church (NDCC) in Apopka, Fla., Tims was in New York for a speaking engagement. more >>

Casey Anthony has been ordered to pay over $217,000, more than double the original fine, in costs related to the investigation and disappearance of her 2-year-old daughter a Florida judge ruled Friday.

An additional $119,000 was added to Anthony’s bill, according to AP.

Judge Belvin Perry, who issued the first fine of $97,676.98, increased the reimbursement costs the 25-year-old owed four central Florida law enforcement agencies. more >>