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Preliminary reports suggested there was no foul play in the death of a local man who was found in Lake Chatuge on Oct. 25, according to Clay County Sheriff Mark Buchanan.
The man was Lewis Preston Stallings, 69, from Tallahassee, Fla.
Buchanan said preliniary results from the autopsy revelaed medical issues that may have contributed to his death.
The tragedy unfolded when a part-time neighbor traveled to a community dock to check on Stalling’s whereabouts.
“The neighbor had seen Stallings’ golf cart parked at the dock since the previous day,” Buchanan said. “During the previous night around 8 p.m., the neighbor saw a boat arrive to the dock and believed it to have been Stallings returning from Margarita Jacks Restaurant where he was a regular customer.
When the neighbor arrived at the dock to check on his friend, he found that Stallings’ boat was not properly secured. While securing the boat, he found Stallings floating in the water near the dock slip.
Clay County Sgt Ethan Henderson, Investigator Steven Smith and Officer JJ Wooten responded to the scene and began an investigation into Stallings’ death.
His wallet and cell phone were found on his person
To date, no foul play is suspected, according to Buchanan.
Townson Rose Funeral Home will be in charge of services.