April 4, 2007–Preliminary results of a 19-year-old Iowa State University student’s autopsy, say he died as a result of accidental drowning. The autopsy was conducted today by the Assistant State Medical Examiner, Dennis Klein.
Results from further medical tests are expected to take weeks to complete, and the official cause of death won’t be confirmed until then.
Authorities started looking for Abel Bolanos Sunday, when family and friends reported him missing. Divers ended that search yesterday when Bolanos was found in Lake LaVerne. Bolanos disappeared on his way home from a party early Saturday morning.
Investigators say there’s no indication this was a murder, but the news is still hard to take. Gene Deisinger with the ISU police says, “We remained very hopeful early on. We had hoped this was a person who would be lost for a period of time, then we’d have the opportunity to reunite him with his family and friends. Many of our staff are devastated that’s not the result.”
The Bolanos family issued this statement, “We are grief stricken by the result, but all the kind thoughts, prayers, giving of themselves and expressions of sympathy have touched us greatly. The Ames and Iowa State communities are very special to us and we are very grateful for the outpouring of support shown to our family.”
A candlelight vigil for Bolanos is being held on the south campanile lawn at 8:00 Wednesday night. The public is welcome.
WOW.. this was just crazy.. my friend said it might be a murder, but I think he just slipped and fell over and he didn’t know how to swim. Poor guy, I feel sorry for his family.. he’s only 19 years old. Anyway, if you don’t live in Iowa probably you didn’t know about this. But now you know..
Is there anything new with me? nope… I’m still pregnant… with a hyper baby who likes to move around and kick and rolling around. Carson finally got a chance to feel her when she rolled around and his comment was “Wow there’s a baby in your tummy” huahauhuahua usualy he just feel the nudge or just soft kick.. but now he felt that she could rolled around in my tummy.