DRUGS, ALCOHOL, DEATH; BRYNN HARTMAN LAB TESTS DETECT MEDICATION, COCAINE.Byline: Peter Hartlaub and Lisa Van Proyen Daily News Staff Writers Brynn Hartman Brynn Hartman (born Vicki Jo Omdahl) (April 11, 1958 – May 28, 1998) was the wife and murderer of actor and comedian Phil Hartman. Early life Vicki Jo Omdahl was born in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, to Donald Gene Omdahl and Constance Faye Omdahl (née had cocaine, an antidepressant antidepressant, any of a wide range of drugs used to treat psychic depression. They are given to elevate mood, counter suicidal thoughts, and increase the effectiveness of psychotherapy. and high levels of alcohol in her system when she committed suicide, after killing ``NewsRadio'' star Phil Hartman Phil Hartman (born as Philip Edward Hartmann) (September 24, 1948 – May 28, 1998) was a Canadian-American Emmy Award-winning actor, voice artist, comedian, graphic artist, a writer, the idea man for Blasto. , coroner's officials said Monday. No illegal drugs were found in the 49-year-old actor, who was shot three times while curled up in bed, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. the Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. County Coroner's Office. Brynn Hartman's blood-alcohol level was .12 percent, well above the .08 percent limit at which a driver is legally drunk, officials said. Trace amounts of cocaine also were found in her body. ``The toxicologists tell me that the levels of cocaine are such that it appears that they were ingested in·gest tr.v. in·gest·ed, in·gest·ing, in·gests 1. To take into the body by the mouth for digestion or absorption. See Synonyms at eat. 2. approximately five hours before the time of death,'' said Chief Coroner Investigator Craig Harvey. Brynn Hartman killed herself several hours after shooting her husband. It remains unclear whether she had taken the cocaine before shooting her husband May 28, with their two young children in the house. Investigators suspect Brynn Hartman killed the former ``Saturday Night Live'' star sometime before 3 a.m. They say the former model killed herself shortly after 6:20 a.m., when officers arrived at her house. The toxicology toxicology, study of poisons, or toxins, from the standpoint of detection, isolation, identification, and determination of their effects on the human body. Toxicology may be considered the branch of pharmacology devoted to the study of the poisonous effects of drugs. tests completed Friday show Brynn Hartman's blood also contained a prescription drug prescription drug Prescription medication Pharmacology An FDA-approved drug which must, by federal law or regulation, be dispensed only pursuant to a prescription–eg, finished dose form and active ingredients subject to the provisos of the Federal Food, Drug, called Zoloft within therapeutic levels. Zoloft is taken for depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder obsessive-compulsive disorder Mental disorder in which an individual experiences obsessions or compulsions, either singly or together. An obsession is a persistent disturbing preoccupation with an unreasonable idea or feeling (such as of being contaminated through shaking . Toxicologists will not know how much cocaine was in her blood until a full autopsy report is completed in 10 days. Harvey said the combination of cocaine and alcohol might have intensified the effects of both drugs, making them 1-1/2 times stronger than if they had been taken separately. Harvey declined to speculate what effect, if any, Zoloft might have had when mixed with alcohol or cocaine. Harvey said there was no evidence of pills or containers for Zoloft at the couple's home. Coroner's investigators did find prescription antibiotics in the house. And the toxicology report showed Phil Hartman had taken an over-the-counter cold medicine. Los Angeles police Lt. Anthony Alba said detectives will not investigate the source of the cocaine found in Brynn Hartman's system. ``That's not really a consideration in this case,'' Alba said, adding that no illegal drugs were found in the Hartmans' home. ``The point is she was the one who committed the murder and then killed herself. ``If we were to find the distributor, we would charge that person,'' Alba added. Alba was not sure whether police confirmed that Brynn Hartman had a prescription for the antidepressant. Alba also said he was not sure whether Brynn Hartman was drunk when she left a neighborhood restaurant the evening before she shot her husband. Alba said the case is closed, except for follow-up interviews with family members to gain a better understanding of the motive in the killings. ``Basically, it's over. We're not really releasing all the information. It is closed,'' Alba said. Family and friends of the Hartmans had said the couple were having marital difficulties, stemming from Brynn Hartman's use of drugs and alcohol. Brynn Hartman killed her husband and then left to meet with a friend, Ron Douglas, who took her gun, returned with her to the Encino Avenue home and called 911. As police were removing the children from the house, Brynn Hartman locked herself in the master bedroom and shot herself. Harvey said four shots were fired in the house - Phil Hartman was shot twice in the head and once in the mid-torso, and Brynn Hartman shot herself once in the head. Phil Hartman was found lying in bed in a fetal position fetal position n. A position of the body at rest in which the spine is curved, the head is bowed forward, and the arms and legs are drawn in toward the chest. on his left side, ``as if he was snuggled snug·gle v. snug·gled, snug·gling, snug·gles v.intr. 1. To lie or press close together; cuddle. 2. up in the bedding asleep,'' Harvey said. He added that 40-year-old Brynn Hartman was found with a gun in her hand, facing the ceiling, ``with her upper body supported by pillows, leaning against the headboard.'' Stan Rosenfield, a family spokesman for the Hartmans, declined to comment on the results of the toxicology tests. Other family members could not be reached for comment. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: (color) Brynn and Phil Hartman |
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