Preliminary cause of death released in case of body found in Neches River

June 22, 2009 - 9:49 AM

A preliminary autopsy indicates a man whose body was found floating in the Neches River beneath the Rainbow Bridge died of asphyxia due to drowning.

Justice of the Peace Bob Morgan says he received the results Monday morning in the death of Aaron Lesmeister, 22, of Orange.

Judge Morgan says there were no signs of foul play.

Leismeister's body was discovered Saturday. He was wearing a hospital armband with his name and birthdate on it.

Investigators say a fisherman spotted the body Saturday morning while fishing off the bank of Rainbow Lane.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and the Port Arthur Fire Department removed the body from the Neches River.