Cause Of Death Determined For Man Found Dead Near Sonora Pond

Sonora, CA –An autopsy has determined what killed a 36-year-old man found dead near a Sonora pond.

As reported here in July, Zachariah Hickie’s body was found at Elsey’s Pond off Sullivan Creek near Mono Way after Tuolumne County Sheriff’s office was asked to make a welfare check on him. Deputies discovered Hickie’s lifeless body by the pond and initially called it a suspicious death as there had been a vegetation fire near the area earlier in the day and they were not sure whether the two were connected.

Sheriff’s officials now report the death was an accident as autopsy reports show he had a high alcohol level in his system and died of drowning. Additionally, there was no evidence of foul play as no trauma due to an accidental fall or violent attack was found on the body. Sheriff’s officials did not have Hickie’s exact blood alcohol level.