Chick-fil-A's PR chief dies suddenly amid gay-marriage imbroglio

Don Perry, Chick-fil-A's vice president for public relations, dies unexpectedly. Also on Friday, New York's mayor — who supports gay marriage — refused to ban new Chick-fil-A restaurants in his city.

Chick-fil-A public relations chief Don Perry died unexpectedly Friday, reportedly from a heart attack. (Peter Frey, Chick-fil-A / February 17, 2012)

The death of a top Chick-fil-A executive added to the fast-food chain's difficulties in trying to extricate itself from the public relations imbroglio ignited by its president's comments on same-sex marriage.

Don Perry, who had worked for the Atlanta company for 29 years and was its vice president for public relations, died unexpectedly Friday, reportedly from a heart attack.

Perry had helmed the chain's official response to the controversy that erupted last week after Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy spoke publicly against gay marriage, saying his company supported "the biblical definition of the family unit."

Home Searched After "Joker" Threat Made

Neil Edwin Prescott was wearing a shirt that read, "Guns don't kill people, I do"

View more videos at: http://nbcwashington.com.

"We believe a significant threat has been averted," officials said in a press conference today about the search of Neil Edwin Prescott's home -- where police and ATF officers found numerous guns and ammunition.

Police from several jurisdictions searched the home in Crofton, Md., Thursday night after alleged threats referencing the "Joker" were made earlier in the week.

Law enforcement sources told News4 that Prescott made a more than one phone call Monday to a coworker, in which he made threats toward his employer -- a subcontractor for Pitney Bowes -- which was ready to fire him. Prescott was upset about prospect of losing his job and he told his coworker, "I'm gonna load my guns and blow everybody up," according to a search warrant.

Law enforcement sources tell News4's Pat Collins that Prescott made threats -- saying something to the effect of, "You don' t know who the real Joker is; I am the real Joker." When Pitney Bowes heard this alleged threat, they called authorities.