THE INDEPENDENT NEWS
PINE MEADOWS — A man died after a possible drowning was reported in the Pine Meadows neighborhood on Friday, March 24, according to a city police spokesperson.
The man was identified on Saturday as Franklin “Dell” Lemonds, 70, of Virginia Beach.
Rescue officials responded to the community south of Dam Neck Road shortly after 1 p.m. on Friday in response to a call to emergency communications, according to a statement released by Master Police Officer Tonya Pierce that afternoon.
Pierce, reached by telephone Friday, said rescue personnel responded near the 700 block of Casual Court and found a relative trying to help the man. Lemonds was in a pond behind a house.
Responding officers attempted lifesaving measures, but Lemonds died.
The incident was reported as a suspected drowning, but the official cause of death has not been determined. The matter remained under investigation, and cause of death will be determined by the state medical examiner’s office.
Lemonds’ name was not released until 24 hours after his family was notified. Pierce said on Friday that this is a new department policy.
Ed. — This story was updated on Saturday, March 25, after Lemonds was identified by police.
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