Police are investigating the death of Thomas Boone "Ty" Pickens IV, the 21-year-old grandson of billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens, as a possible drug overdose, two sources familiar with the investigation told NBC 5.
At least one witness told investigators that Pickens, a student at Texas Christian University, took the prescription drug Xanax and later injected heroin in the hours before he died, the sources said.
Pickens was pronounced dead Tuesday morning at Baylor All Saints Medical Center, where a friend brought him after saying he wouldn't wake up. He already may have been dead for several hours, the sources added.
Pickens had been staying at off-campus condos located in the 1800 block of Rogers Road, Fort Worth police Cpl. Tracey Knight said. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner will determine his cause of death, she added.
Police had not yet decided late Tuesday whether or not to file criminal charges against anyone who may have been involved in the drug use.
Knight said homicide detectives were notified of the death but hadn't yet decided if they would lead the investigation.
News of the death and the possible drug connection was certain to spread fast across the TCU campus following a well-publicized drug raid just last year.
A spokesman for Pickens' grandfather issued a written statement.
"Ty’s loss at such a young age is an unspeakable family tragedy for the entire Pickens family and his many friends. We mourn his passing and respectfully request that the family be allowed to grieve in private in this time of sorrow," said Jay Rosser, spokesperson for T. Boone Pickens.
The university also emailed a statement.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of this member of our community and our hearts and thoughts are with Ty’s family at this time,” said Cavins Tull, TCU vice chancellor for student affairs. “Staff members are available if students need to speak with someone about this sad news.”
TCU360.com reports Pickens was a junior majoring in strategic communication.
A spokeswoman for the Tarrant County Medical Examiner did not immediately return a call for comment.
NBC 5's Amanda Guerra and Meredith Land contributed to this report.
Photo Credit: Facebook.com/ty.pickens