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MEDIA RELEASE

Wednesday 07-06-05 3:00 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Updated Information on Drownings in Southern Cayuga County 06-30 & 07-04

Sheriff Rob Outhouse reports that the preliminary Forensic Autopsy reports are complete on both cases and are as follows:

Eric Lopez *AKA* Moises Zacarias Ramirez 18 yoa (Actual name and age unknown)

Subject was recovered in a farm pond in the Town of Genoa in Southern Cayuga County Thursday 06-30-05 unresponsive and was transported to Auburn Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Manner of Death: Accident
Cause of Death: Asphyxia due to Drowning
Contributing factor: Acute Alcohol Intoxication

The victim had been drinking with friends and co-workers and forensic testing revealed a high level of alcohol in his system. The Sheriff’s Office considers the high alcohol content as a contributing factor in the drowning and subsequent death of the victim.

Robert D. McDonald 21yoa

Subject’s body was recovered in Lake Como in the Town of Summerhill in Southeastern Cayuga County on Monday
07-04-05. He was reported as missing to the Sheriff’s Office on Sunday night 07-03-05.

Manner of Death: Accident
Cause of Death: Asphyxia due to Drowning
Contributing Factor: Acute Alcohol Intoxication

The victim had been drinking with family and friends Saturday night and was last seen shortly after midnight. Forensic testing revealed a high level of alcohol in his system. The Sheriff’s Office considers the high alcohol content as a contributing factor in the drowning and subsequent death of the victim.

“Both of these Deaths are related to excessive consumption of alcohol by young adults in an area, The Water, that deserves special precautions and respect for the potential dangers associated with these hazards…Please act responsibly…Drink responsibly!”

Sheriff Rob Outhouse

Both incidents remain open and the investigations are continuing. We are asking the public to relay any information that would assist us in both cases. Please direct calls to 315-253-1222 or directly to the Criminal Investigations Unit at 315-253-1610.