FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. -- Former Michigan Rep. Dennis Dutko, who left office in disgrace following his conviction on drunken driving charges, was found dead less than a week after he was arrested in Tennessee on drug charges.
Dutko, 46, was found in the bedroom of his rented beachfront condominium Wednesday afternoon by his mother and sisters who went to look for him after he failed to appear for a luncheon appointment, officials said.
There was no sign of forced entry or struggle and no suicide note was found, police said.
Lee County Sheriff John McDougall said late Wednesday an empty prescription pill bottle was found near Dutko's body in the bedroom of his time-share condominium facing the Gulf of Mexico.
McDougall declined further details pending autopsy results to be released Friday.
Earlier, Jeri Martin, a spokeswoman for the Lee County Sheriff's Office, said, 'He was clothed in a pair of swim trunks. He was unresponsive when she (his mother) tried to awaken him. All we have right now is no sign of trauma to the body.'
Dr. Joe Westwood, physician for the Ingham County (Mich.) Jail where Dutko served more than seven months for drunk driving until his release Jan. 3, refused Wednesday night to comment on what medications were prescribed for Dutko while he was in jail.
Dutko died just a day after he was charged with cocaine possession at a highway rest stop near Chattanooga, Tenn.
Dutko, who was single, was found by his mother, Phyllis Dutko, and his sister Donna Golden, Martin said. 'He was supposed to have lunch with the mother and sister, and he didn't show and that's when they become concerned and went to the place where he was staying,' she said.
The eight-term Democrat resigned his House seat last spring following two convictions for drunken driving. He was sentenced to a year in the Ingham County Jail on charge and six months on the other.
