Tests reveal bartender had alcohol, cocaine in blood
Toxicology tests completed by a laboratory have revealed that a bartender found dead in an Upper Tyrone Township lounge last month did have traces of both alcohol and cocaine in his blood system at the time of his death. Elsie Dvorchak, Fayette County Deputy Coroner said Thursday that Thomas P. “Gunner” Lesniak of Acme had a 0.024 blood-alcohol content and tested positive for cocaine.
Lesniak, 52, was found by firefighters lying face down at JJ’s Bar on Jan. 4 after responding to the Valley View Drive lounge where they found the structure engulfed in flames.
“He had some alcohol in his system, but he would not be considered legally intoxicated,” said Dvorchak, adding that 0.08 is considered the level used by police when determining intoxication by drivers.
Dvorchak said that no specific level of cocaine was determined in the testing conducted by the National Medical Laboratory.
“We only have it listed as positive (for cocaine),” she said.
Dvorchak said she had no knowledge if either substance contributed to Lesniak’s death.
Catherine M. Hamborsky, 40, of 607 Kingview Road has been charged by police with criminal homicide, arson and other related offenses and abuse of a corpse in connection with the incident.
During a preliminary hearing held Feb. 18, testimony revealed that Hamborsky admitted to stabbing and shooting Lesniak after he allegedly made attempts to rape her.
After leaving the bar, police said Hamborsky went to her home, retrieved a gasoline can and returned to the location to set fire to the building.
The charges were held for court.
Hamborsky remains incarcerated in Fayette County Prison.