Med. Examiner: Accident Could Have Caused Death

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla.,None — A more in-depth medical examiner's report showed on Friday how Chris George died after his disappearance in 2009.

WFTV reported Thursday night that investigators had confirmed that remains found in Lake Apopka earlier this year were those of George.

Investigators believed he was connected to missing woman Tracy Ocasio and James Hataway.

WFTV learned that George's death may have been an accident.

George disappeared in February of 2009 and he was last seen with Hataway, a man now serving a life sentence for trying to kill a Seminole County woman.

When George’s remains were found in Lake Carter in Apopka this year, police said all fingers pointed to Hataway.

But a new report showed George's death may have been an accident. The medical examiner said he suspects George was under the influence of drugs when he ran into the vegetation around the lake and became incapacitated and drowned.

The medical examiner said there was no trauma to the bones and water levels were higher back in 2009 at the spot where his remains were found. The medical examiner said he ruled George's death as undetermined.

“Still an active investigation. There are still parties we would like to speak to,” said said Officer Steven Popp, Apopka Police Department.

One of those parties is Hataway, who police said has not been cooperative. George's mother, Rachel George told WFTV earlier this year that though she didn't think Hataway murdered her son, he could still have something to do with his disappearance.

“He still has secrets that are left untold,” said Rachel George.

Despite the identification of the remains, Rachel George said on Friday that she won't have closure until she knows exactly what happened to her son.

Hataway is still the main suspect in the disappearance of Tracy Ocasio. The Ocoee woman disappeared in 2009 and was last seen with Hataway, police said.

Previous Stories: May 9, 2011: James Hataway Sentenced To Life, Apologizes To Victim April 2, 2011: James Hataway Found Guilty Of Attempted Murder March 31, 2011: Witness: Hataway Was Fascinated With Neck-Breaking March 30, 2011: Alleged Victim Says Hataway Tried To Kill Her March 30, 2011: Opening Statements Begin In Hataway Trial March 29, 2011: Jury Seated For Hataway Attempted Murder Trial March 29, 2011: Hataway Defense Demands Expanded Juror Pool March 29, 2011: Jury Selection Continues In Hataway Trial March 25, 2011: Key Witness Will Have Face Hidden For Hataway Trial March 22, 2011: 911 Call, Documents Released In Hataway Case March 18, 2011: State: Witness Said Hataway Liked Choking Women February 25, 2011: Missing Man's Mom Says Hataway Didn't Kill Son

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