Foul play not suspected in 23-year-old’s death

A 23-year-old man who went to his car to use his cellphone was found dead Saturday morning, with the cause of death still under investigation.

‘There weren’t any signs of foul play,’ said sheriff’s investigator Marc Martin of the death of Daniel Lee, 23, who had recently moved here from Ohio. ‘We’ve sent off blood for toxicology and we’re waiting for those results to maybe tell us what caused his death.’

A preliminary investigation revealed Lee was visiting with friends at a residence on Viola Highway near Shellsford Friday evening and excused himself to go outside to make a call on his cellphone.

‘He had to go to the car to make the call because he had to use his phone while it was on the charger,’ Martin said.

It was not until Saturday morning that Lee’s friends realized he had not returned inside and discovered his body.

‘He was found inside the car with the cellphone still in his hands,’ Martin said.

Martin said Lee had been drinking and there was information he may have also been using prescription medication, something that could have proven to be a deadly mix. However, until toxicology reports return, Martin said any conclusion as to the cause of death would be premature.