Madoff's friend found dead in Palm Beach residence swimming pool India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

A long time friend of jailed Ponzi King Bernard Madoff, who was found at the bottom of the pool of his ocean-side mansion, died on Sunday, police said. Jeffry Picower, 67, a philanthropist, was accused of profiting to the tune of over seven billion dollars from investment schemes started and nurtured by Madoff, the Huffington Post and the BBC reports. Picower's wife Barbara, discovered his body and pulled him from the water with help from a housekeeper, authorities said. He was pronounced dead at Good Samaritan Medical Centre at about 1.30 p.m. local time Sunday. Palm Beach police are investigating the death, as is standard for any drowning, the department said in a statement. Picower's body showed no visible injuries, said Joseph Sekula, spokesman for the Palm Beach Fire Department.