Coroner: Columbia Teen Drowned in Lake Murray
Richland Coroner Gary Watts released the name of a teenager that drowned in Lake Murray Sunday evening.
A teenager that drowned on Lake Murray while attending a church outing on Sunday was an 18-year-old Columbia resident, according to the Richland County Coroner's Office.
Christopher J. Riddle, 18, of Columbia, was swimming with friends at a church outing when he went under the water approximately 20 feet from the dock, Coroner Gary Watts said.
Riddle did not re-surface and rescue personnel responded to the scene around 5:30 p.m. The Richland County Sheriffs Department dive team recovered Riddle's body around 7:30 p.m. in approximately 14 feet of water, according to a coroner's office release.
An autopsy performed Monday shows that the victim died from asphyxiation due to fresh water drowning, the coroner's office said.
Officials say there were no signs of trauma and that it is not clear on why he went under the water.
Riddle could swim and was not wearing a life jacket, according to the release.
Laura
11:29 am on Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Our prayers go out to the family and friends!