Man drowned in river, autopsy shows
From Staff Reports
The autopsy of a man found dead in the Little River near Coulter’s Bridge Thursday has revealed the preliminary cause of death to be drowning, authorities said.
The Blount County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as David Houston Slaughter, 37, of Dotson Memorial Drive, Maryville.
Slaughter’s autopsy was performed Friday afternoon at University of Tennessee Medical Center. Authorities are still waiting on the results of a toxicology screening, which may take several months to finish, according to a news release from the Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s Office deputies and Blount County firefighters responded to the river Thursday at around 2:30 p.m. after two fishermen found a body floating in the water.
The fishermen were traveling down the river on a raft when they spotted the body near Coulter’s Bridge at the intersection of Tuckaleechee Pike and Old Walland Highway.
At this time foul play is not suspected, authorities said, but the investigation will not be closed until the results of the toxicology screening have been returned.
