Authorities have released a cause of death for a man who was found in a tributary of the Henry Fork River in Catawba County Saturday (April 1). The deceased is 33-year-old Ron Christopher Broussard, Jr. The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office released an update Tuesday (April 4).

Following an autopsy performed at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital, the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has informed Sheriff’s investigators that the cause of Mr. Broussard’s death will be ruled a drowning. The manner of his death will be ruled an accident.

As this investigation has continued Sheriff’s investigators have not uncovered any evidence of foul play. Sheriff’s investigators have also learned that Mr. Broussard was seen last Friday (March 31) near an area in southeast Hickory where large storm drains lead to the tributary where he was ultimately located.

Mr. Broussard listed a Rocky Mount address but family members told authorities that he had been living in the Hickory area since last year.