VERSAILLES – An autopsy on 18-year-old Carson Hughes was completed Monday morning, and the preliminary cause of death was determined to be probable cold-water drowning.
No other evidence of injury was present.
The final autopsy report and cause of death are pending toxicology results.
Indiana Conservation Officers recovered the body of Carson Hughes of Osgood from Versailles Lake.
At 6:50 p.m., conservation officer divers utilized sonar and recovered Hughes in six feet of water.
Hughes was pronounced dead on the scene by the Ripley County Coroner.
According to Ripley County Indiana EMA, over 150 volunteers joined the search at Versailles State Park on Saturday.
“There were things located that would suggest he was doing what he loved to do most days, which was photographing wildlife and being outdoors,” Officer Josh Thomas said.
Carson worked on photography projects for Indiana Thermal Recovery.
At 1:30 p.m. Friday, Ripley County dispatch received a report Hughes was missing at Versailles Lake within Versailles State Park. Hughes has family in Lawrence County.
His vehicle was found unlocked, with the keys still inside, near the boat ramp, and his kayak was on the water nearby.
Assisting agencies include the Ripley County Sheriff’s Office, Ripley County Coroner’s Office, Indiana State Police Aviation, Ripley County EMA, Ripley County EMS, Ripley County Health Department, Versailles Fire, Delaware Fire, Hamilton County Urban Search and Rescue, Friendship Fire, Batesville Fire, Buckeye Search and Rescue, Ohio Task Force One, Texas EquuSearch, Hamilton County Police Association Dive, and hundreds of civilian volunteers.
