The Red and Black

Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: News

BYWATER

Medical examiners determined Cayle Bywater, a University student found dead in an Athens pond last month, suffered from a heart defect, her mother said.

The autopsy showed no signs of foul play. Also, examiners said there were no traces of alcohol or illegal drugs in her body, according to the police officers bringing the investigation to a close.

"We have nothing else to follow up on, the autopsy and toxicology has been done," said Capt. Clarence Holeman of the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.

Bywater, 29, was last seen Dec. 29, around 6 p.m. Neighbors became concerned after seeing her dog running loose outside her South Milledge Avenue home. Bywater did not show up for work the next day and was reported missing on Jan. 1.

ACC officials searched the Memorial Park pond Jan. 4, and divers from the Hall County Sheriff's Department recovered Bywater's body from the pond at 4:30 p.m. on Jan. 11.

Police say they cannot determine whether her entrance into the pond was accidental or forced.

"Anything I say about that would be mere speculation," Holeman said. "We really don't know."

Although the case may be closed, the Bywater family continues to grieve.

"I'm still hoping someone saw something or heard something, just to make a little more sense of it," Valery Bywater told the Athens Banner-Herald Tuesday.

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