Published: August 27, 2008 01:36 pm         

Drowning death ruled accidental

Pearl River County — A drowning death of a 30 year-old man was ruled accidental after an investigation by local law enforcement.

The call about a body seen floating in a small pond was made to the Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department about 3:43 p.m. Monday. The body of 30 year-old Douglas Lee Rush, of 209 Old Creek Rd., was found floating in the small pond behind his house. Identification found on Rush’s remains provided positive identification.

An investigation into the matter found no signs of trauma or injury on the body, ruling out foul play, said Chief Investigator Shane Tucker.

A warrant was secured to search Rush’s home to check for a possible crime scene, but no evidence of foul play was found. A preliminary autopsy performed on the body states the cause of death was due to asphyxia due to fresh water drowning, Tucker said.

The possibility of drug use is being investigated, Tucker said.