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The man who drowned in Pike Lake on Sunday did not suffer any neck injuries, according to Kosciusko County Coroner Larry Ladd.
An autopsy performed on the body of Terry W. Loop, 50, of Fort Wayne, confirmed that Loop died from asphyxiation due to drowning. An abrasion on Loop's head was a severe enough injury that officials believe it caused Loop to lose consciousness. It is not known whether Loop struck his head on the pier or on the lake bottom, Ladd said.
Loop was under water at least 15 minutes before he was pulled from the lake Sunday evening. Witnesses told police Loop jumped off the pier and entered the shallow water head first.
Ladd said he is still awaiting toxicology reports on Loop, but those tests will not change the cause of death already determined.
