Don Lapre found dead in Arizona jail cell of apparent suicide

Don Lapre, TV pitchman accused of fraud, found dead in Arizona jail cell of apparent suicide

Embattled TV pitchman Don Lapre was found dead in his Arizona jail cell on Sunday, just days before his $52 million fraud trail was set to begin, authorities said.

The 47-year-old infomercial huckster was accused of scamming at least 220,000 people by selling worthless vitamins, using get-rich-quick pyramid schemes and phony Internet businesses.

U.S. Marshals spokesman Matt Hershey told Phoenix's KSAZ television that his death appears to be a suicide, but authorities were still investigating.

Hershey did not say how Lapre may have killed himself.

A grand jury indicted Lapre in June on 41 counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, wire fraud and promotional money laundering though his company, "The Greatest Vitamin in the World."

The company's "customers" spent nearly $51.8 million to sell vitamins and recruit others to do the same.

But only 5,000 people received about $6.4 million in commission, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Meanwhile, Lapre reaped at least $2.2 million from between 2004 to 2007, the department said.

The fast-talking infomercial king had attempted suicide at least once before.

On June 23, U.S. Marshals with a warrant for his arrest found him at a Tempe, Ariz. gym with a deep gash in his groin area.

Marshals believe had had tried to kill himself by slicing his femoral artery.

On his website, donlapre.com, under the heading "Never Stop Dreaming..." Lapre insisted that he never scammed anyone and predicted that his legal fight would "destroy what energy I have left inside."

"It did not work out for me with my vitamins but I believe that being willing to fail is part of having a chance at success," the site says.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/10/03/2011-10-03_don_lapre_tv_p...

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[TracyAndersonFoxhunt]

@CptUSAmerica i can't believe how many people are standing up for this guy. it's so obvious he's a scammer and a scumbag.hundreds of citizens complained and the federal authorities fingered him after an investigation. the FDA gave him 2 formal warnings that he's selling "vitamins" that are not considered safe and have no real value. and people say "oh, he's a good guy"... pfftt! people are just stupid. the guy ran, hid, and slit his own throat. that says it all. he's a guilty scumbag

[philosophergenius]

@SwissBullion What you say is false. It is up to the prosecution to prove that he knew about his partner's 'shady deals'.

[philosophergenius]

@SwissBullion Doesn't remove the fact that he still made bad choices. He made a bad choice in business partners--and if that was true the law would find him innocent...but then he made another bad choice in ending his life.

[detoit99]

SwissBullion....well said.

[TheLizardKing1967]

I am sure HELL is pretty hot for Ol' Don baby.  LOL

[SwissBullion]

@CptUSAmerica Comparing a genius entrepreneur with genocidal maniacs proves your IQ or lack thereof. Has it occurred to you that he simply had a bad business partner who made shady decisions behind his back causing the company and its investors to lose money? Has it occurred to you that he didn't get rich ripping people off? He lost his livelihood and reputation because he trusted the wrong person. Has it occurred to u that he took his own life because he felt bad for the people he let down?

[SwissBullion]

@CptUSAmerica Unfortunately I never had the pleasure of meeting this great man in person like yourself because u must have known him personally to give such a detailed account about his character. A high school dropout who had been making a fortune on television since 1992. The classified ad's worked and made people a shit load of money. If they hadnt he would have been gone 20 years ago. If he was a fraud he would have been locked up back in 1993. Do you get it now u shity little cum gargler? 

[CptUSAmerica]

@SwissBullion im sorry you lost your dear friend, but i forgot about DON LAPRE 1 mth ago. The man was a coward & a snake & for you to defend him makes you a loser. I dont care about him & i surely dont give a Rats Ass About You! End Of Story!

NEVER CONVICTED OF FRAUD, THE COWARD DON LAPRE WANTED TO KEEP IT THAT WAY & KILLED HIMSELF. NOT HAVING TO FACE HIS CRIMES & VICTIMS, DON LAPRE IS NOW ROTTING IN HELL, HANGIN WITH HITLER & OSAMA BIN LADEN...

DO YOU GET IT NOW NUMBNUTZ!!?

[SwissBullion]

@CptUSAmerica WTF does a guy who was charged but never convicted of fraud have to do with UBL? You assume he is guilty because he was charged with a crime and his last business venture failed to make money. What's wrong with you? Easy way out? He slit his own throat! Go fuck yourself! I didn't even have to read your comment the CAPS and your username show what an ignoramus asshole you are.

[TheRemedy2012]

@monteindamiddle7 100% right! rebuke the devil!