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SUNNY Temp: 78 °F Wind: SSE at 5 mph Friday, August 1, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend July 18, 2003 Bechler lawsuit calls Xenadrine RFA-1 ‘poisonous cocktail’ From staff and wire reports Kiley Bechler, the widow of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler, filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the manufacturers of a dietary supplement containing ephedra for $600 million. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., also seeks a ban on the sale of ephedra-based products. "It’s a simple case of corporate and personal greed being placed ahead of consumer safety and the public welfare," said her attorney, David Meiselman. Advertisement When reached Thursday afternoon, Kiley Bechler said she was unable to comment on the matter on the advice of her attorney. "I can’t say anything about it at all right now," she said from her Central Point home. "My lips are completely sealed until this is all over." The 23-year-old Steve Bechler was taking the supplement to lose weight at the start of spring training when he collapsed Feb. 16 in Fort Lauderdale. The former South Medford High standout’s body temperature rose to more than 108 degrees and he died the next day. A bottle of Xenadrine RFA-1 was found in Bechler’s locker. Kiley Bechler’s lawsuit calls the product, Xenadrine RFA-1, a "poisonous cocktail" unsafe for human consumption. Toxicology tests confirmed "significant amounts" of an over-the-counter supplement containing ephedra led to Steve Bechler’s heatstroke, along with other factors, the medical examiner said. The lawsuit names Manasquan, N.J.-based Cytodyne Technologies and its president, Robert Chinery, and Hicksville, N.Y.-based Phoenix Laboratories. A receptionist who answered the phone Thursday at Cytodyne said no one was immediately available to comment. One month ago, attorney Todd Macaluso said Steve Bechler’s parents, Ernie and Pat Bechler, were also planning a similar lawsuit against Cytodyne and Phoenix Laboratories. There has been no announcement on how much the family might seek in damages or when and where the lawsuit would be filed. In the past, Cytodyne has criticized Meiselman for blaming the company, saying Bechler had a history of heat-related illnesses. Ephedra products are marketed in drug stores, convenience stores and gyms as a weight-loss and energy miracle pill made from natural herbs, but the Food and Drug Administration has said the drug is blamed for nearly 120 deaths nationwide. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times