The results are in from an autopsy conducted on 48-year-old James Earl Kirkby.
The Augusta Township man died after his fishing boat capsized in the St. Lawrence River on Saturday. Kirkby had been fishing with his son and a family friend when their boat took on water and overturned. Some reports say they may have hit an ice boom, damaging their boat. The two younger men were able to make it to Adams Island, where they were rescued by other fishermen. The older Kirkby went missing, and a search was launched. His body was found on Sunday afternoon.
The autopsy has determined the cause of death to be drowning. Kirkby was not wearing a lifejacket.
An online fundraising campaign has raised nearly $4,000 to help the Kirkby family. Here is the link:
https://www.gofundme.com/forjimmykirkby