Update – July 21, 2015

The Police Department has positively identified the victim in yesterday’s drowning as James Earl Kea, Jr., 54 years old of Waynesboro. Mr. Kea was a resident of Summercrest Apartments. It is uncertain how long Kea was in the pool before he was discovered by other residents. His body has been sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Roanoke for an autopsy. The Police Department’s death investigation continues.

The Waynesboro Police Department is investigating an apparent drowning of a man that happened at Summercrest Apartments, 100 block of Summercrest Avenue. On today’s date at 6:30 PM, the Waynesboro Emergency Operations Center received a call indicating that a person was at the bottom of the apartment complex’s pool. Members of the Waynesboro Fire Department, Waynesboro First Aid Crew and Police Department responded and were on the scene within three minutes. By the time they arrived, bystanders had already pulled the victim from the pool and had begun CPR on him. Emergency crews continue life-saving attempts but were unsuccessful.

The deceased victim, who appears to be in his 50’s, was transported to Augusta Health’s morgue. An autopsy will be conducted by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The Police Department has begun a death investigation but at this point no foul play is suspected.
The name of the deceased will be released after the next of kin has been notified.