Confessions of a Quackbuster

This blog deals with healthcare consumer protection, and is therefore about quackery, healthfraud, chiropractic, and other forms of so-Called "Alternative" Medicine (sCAM).

Saturday, July 16, 2005

Widower arrested in ’01 death of wife at Gilbert home

Widower arrested in ’01 death of wife at Gilbert home
By Mike Branom, Tribune
July 15, 2005

A controversial nutritional supplements guru whose wife drowned in the bathtub at their Gilbert home nearly four years ago was arrested Thursday on a first-degree murder warrant.

Doug Grant, 39, was arrested at his business in southeast Arizona and is being held at the Graham County Jail.

According to police, on Sept. 27, 2001, Grant reported that his wife was unconscious in the bathtub of their home in the 2500 block of East Michelle Way.

Faylene Grant, 35, was taken to a Mesa hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The Maricopa County Forensic Science Center determined she drowned after ingesting the sleeping medication Zolpidem. Police said other "suspicious circumstances" led them to investigate.

Grant’s business, Optimal Health Systems, offers dietary supplements to restore health and maintain fitness.

However, Optimal Health Systems is mentioned on the Web site www.quackwatch.com, which warns the company’s products don’t live up to its advertising promises. Quackwatch, operated by Pennsylvania psychiatrist Stephen Barrett, also states Grant misrepresents himself as a nutrition expert.

On Grant’s personal Web site, he lists himself as the team nutritionist for two NBA squads.

But at least one, the Miami Heat, said he never worked for the organization.

Optimal Health Systems issued a statement about the criminal charges: "Doug vehemently denies the allegations and will fight them aggressively. These charges have no connection to Optimal Health Systems; however, we stand 100% behind Doug and are confident he will ultimately be vindicated. Optimal Health Systems will continue operating as usual."