Spirit Airlines pilot’s drug use appears ‘voluntary,’ police say

Investigators believe the Spirit Airlines pilot who died with his wife in Centerville last week voluntarily used the drugs he likely overdosed on, this newsroom has confirmed.

Brian Halye, 36, and Courtney Halye, 34, were found dead by their children in Centerville last week. Montgomery County Coroner’s Office Director Ken Betz said the couple appears to have overdosed on fentanyl.

ORIGINAL REPORT: Children find Spirit Airlines pilot, wife dead in apparent overdose

“Every indication we have is this was an accidental overdose,” said Officer John Davis, the Centerville police spokesman.

Davis said the couple appears to have “voluntarily” used drugs and ruled out suicide and other “rumors” about how the couple may have died.

The cause of deaths are still officially unknown pending a toxicology screen, which may take several weeks.

MORE: FAA, Spirit Airlines ‘quickly’ learned of pilot’s death

Still, investigators cannot say if Halye, a nine-year employee of Spirit Airlines, had ever used illicit drugs prior to the time of his death. The police department acknowledged it has made contact with the low-fare carrier about the death.

“We had conversations with Spirit,” Davis said. “We are building a timeline as with any other investigation we do.”

In a statement earlier this week, Spirit Airlines said it is cooperating with authorities.

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