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Cause of death to be determined

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by Paul Glasser
March 24, 2009
John Imes
John Imes

 

An autopsy is scheduled on the kayaker whose remains were recovered Monday, but it could be several weeks before the cause of death is known.

 

Franklin County Coroner Will Harrod said he will conduct an autopsy on John Imes, 64, of Louisville, today at the state medical lab in Frankfort. He said it could be up to four weeks before the cause of death is available.

Imes disappeared on March 4 after witnesses saw him struggling in his overturned kayak near the Singing Bridge.

Imes, an experienced kayaker, was not wearing a life preserver. He was missing for almost three weeks until his remains were recovered Monday at around 1 p.m.

Emergency Management Director Deron Rambo said his remains were recovered about 100 yards downstream from where Imes went missing. He said a boater spotted something in the river, and emergency responders discovered Imes’ body.

“I’m very thankful the family can have some peace of mind,” Harrod said. “I know this has really been tough for them.”

In the days after Imes vanished, dozens of professional and volunteer crews searched between the Singing Bridge and Lock 4. The search included special underwater sonar units and dog teams, and Rambo said he appreciated their support.

The search surface area was expanded last week to include almost 16 miles of the Kentucky River from the Singing Bridge to the Elkhorn Creek near the Owen County line.

Dangerous river conditions temporarily halted the search for several days last week.

Rambo said it’s possible the remains were submerged under the boat dock near the Singing Bridge – an area divers searched frequently. However, the conditions were difficult because visibility was low and there are a lot of rocks and debris under the boat dock, Rambo said.

“We had a feeling he was still somewhere in the area,” he said. “But there were so many variables.”

An increase in the temperature of the river likely caused Imes’ remains to float to the surface Monday, Rambo said. The water temperate was in the high 40s Monday and that could have allowed the decomposition process to begin, he said.

Rambo said the family had planned to hold memorial services soon.

“We wanted to resolve this for them,” Rambo said.

 

 




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 5 Total Comments
5.
    Posted by my2cents2 March 25, 2009
Also, I'm no forensic pathologist, but I would think they'd want to try to rule out such causes of death as heart attack, stroke, or skull fracture/cerebral hemmhorage from a head injury (if the boat capsized as he was getting in and hit him in the head, for instance). No one saw what happened, so any of these are a possibility; an autopsy would also show whether or not he was still breathing when he entered the water, etc.

4.
    Posted by watchingyou March 24, 2009
I'm not 100% sure but i think are laws that require an investigation in an accident such as this.

3.
    Posted by Derekrayborn March 24, 2009
He used to be my supervisor back when I worked as a Design Engineer. He was a Great Guy, and Very Knowledgeable Mentor to a Hard headed College Student. My best wishes to his Family!!

2.
    Posted by Beatle Juice March 24, 2009
Is it just me or do we really need to investigate what Caused the death? Water, to much of it!

I am glad the body was found and now the family and friends can find closure

1.
    Posted by smartgirl1 March 24, 2009
Looks like the searched the right area after all. I'm glad the family can find closure now.

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