A 48-year-old man was found deceased in a retention pond in Edgewater Sunday, the Edgewater Police Department announced. The victim has been identified as Jonathan R. Lyon.
According to a report from WESH 2, Lyon's widow Victoria Lyon said he recently lost his vision. An eye disease inherited from his father rendered Lyon blind within the last year.
As of now, police do not suspect foul play was involved in Lyon's death. Furthermore, there is said to be no ongoing threat to public safety stemming from this incident. Lyon's family have said he was on the way to a convenience store when the incident occurred.
Edgewater police say their preliminary investigation indicates Lyon possibly wound up in the pond by accident. He entered the water early Sunday morning and was 'unable to exit', police say.
"It is important to recognize investigations are fluid, and information initially believed to be accurate may change as additional evidence is collected, witnesses are interviewed, and investigative findings are evaluated," the Edgewater Police Department continued. "The information provided reflects what is currently known and should not be considered a final determination of the circumstances surrounding Lyon’s death."
An ongoing investigation into Lyon's passing is underway by the Edgewater Police Department along with the Medical Examiner's Office. In the meantime, a fundraiser has been posted to GoFundMe by Lyon's family seeking help supporting Victoria Lyon in the wake of her husband's passing.
According to the GoFundMe, Victoria is currently staying at a women's shelter along with the couple's two children, Ally and Devin. The family is seeking a 'safe home and reliable car' to get back on their feet, the fundraiser says. The GoFundMe was created by an organizer named Mindy Flint.
