Man arrested in suspected drug death of 'Amazing Race' freelance producer
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The mysterious death of freelance "Amazing Race" producer Jeff Rice has taken yet more strange turns.
A cab driver named Moses Kalanzi was arrested in Kampala, Uganda under suspicion of providing Rice and his producer friend, Kathryn Fuller, with the drugs police say killed Rice and critically injured Fuller, the Ugandan newspaper the Monitor reports.
Police rep Judith Nabakooba said Kalanzi is cooperating with authorities.
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"There was constant communication between the special hire driver and Rice on phone about the purchase of the drugs," Nabakooba told the Monitor. "So we want to know the source of the drugs and how it is trafficked into the country. He has recorded a statement and investigations are ongoing."
Police also say they are poised to arrest Fuller, who survived after ingesting what authorities say was contaminated cocaine.
Police rep Asuman Mugyenyi said Monday that Fuller, who is still in the hospital, is being treated as a witness and a suspect.
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Rice was found dead Feb. 18 on the balcony of the hotel room he shared with Fuller. Fuller, who was working as an assistant producer for Rice's production company Maverick Entertainment, was found unconscious on the floor near Rice. A forensic investigation found that Rice died of a drug overdose.
The case has alerted officials here to the possibility that Uganda is becoming a "consumption destination," a location where adventurers and addicts can consume illicit drugs with little risk of police detection.
The rep said the preliminary investigation pointed to death by choking, but that since two people were involved, that didn't make sense.
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"We ordered for another post mortem, which revealed that it was caused by an overdose,” the rep said, saying a large amount of the drug was found in Rice's stomach.
FoxNews.com first reported Rice's death, and talked to his widow, Sally Blackman, last week. Blackman said Fuller's father had come to Uganda following the tragedy and was staying with his daughter during her recovery.
Rice leaves behind two young children, ages 7 and 2. Rice had been expected home on February 25 to celebrate his daughter’s second birthday.
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"Jeff was a dedicated father who made the most of his time with his family when back home in South Africa," said Blackman. "He has left a huge void, not only in the film industry, but with his family he has left behind. We will miss his smiles and constant humor."