Why, Of Course... (The Saga Continues)

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Recent lab tests conducted after an animal cruelty investigation of the rapper known as DMX returned results that a substance found in his Cave Creek home was cocaine, Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio said. Authorities seized 12 live pit bulls, numerous weapons and about a quarter-ounce of marijuana after serving a search warrant at Earl Simmons' home during the August investigation. A substance thought to be illegal narcotics also was found and now has been confirmed to be cocaine.

Three pit bulls were also found dead and buried in the yard.

Necropsy and skeletal reports released Friday by the sheriff's office show that one of the dead dogs had evidence of heavy bruising as a consequence of blunt force, another had skeletal grooves resulting from a severe dog bite wound, and a third had fractures, bite wounds and burns so intense that the dog's gender was undeterminable.

The time of death for each of the three dogs is pending an entomology analysis, which will determine what insects laid eggs when and where and in what order they appeared in the deceased bodies. This analysis will aid in finding out the time and location of the death.

The causes of the deaths are still undetermined. Authorities are investigating whether the dogs had been used in dog fighting, which would be a felony charge.

"No charges have been filed yet," said sheriff's Capt. Paul Chagolla. "The case is not complete."

In March 2002, Simmons was found guilty on 13 counts of animal cruelty. In that case, there was also a tie to illegal narcotics, as authorities found used glass crack-cocaine smoking pipes in the master bedroom of the rapper's home.

The rapper's hired caretaker, Bradley Blackwell, is under investigation as well, Arpaio said, because Simmons was out of town during the August 2007 raid of his property.

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