Autopsy: Ste. Genevieve teen died of accidental drowning

STE GENEVIEVE, Mo. -- A Ste. Genevieve teen found dead in a lake after missing for more than two weeks apparently died in an accidental drowning.

On Monday afternoon, emergency officials pulled the body of Wade Lurk, 17, and his car from Goose Creek Lake, a development on the border of St. Francois and Ste. Genevieve counties.

Initial results from an autopsy conducted Tuesday determined Lurk drowned in an accident, according to St. Francois County Coroner Jim Coplin.

Lurk was last seen sleeping in his car the morning of April 1 following a party at a weekend cabin in the development with about 40 other teenagers.

Authorities believe Lurk was driving home between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. that day when he got lost and accidentally drove into the lake, said Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff Gary Stolzer.

The vehicle, a 1990 Nissan Stanza, had its windows rolled up and its doors closed, Stolzer said. He did not know if Lurk was wearing a seat belt or how fast the vehicle was traveling when it drove down a concrete boat ramp into the lake.

The teen was seen drinking alcohol at the party, and that might have played a role, according to Stolzer.

Results from toxicology tests could take about four weeks, Coplin said.

Stolzer said underage drinking parties were not uncommon.

"I think in every county you have these kinds of parties," he said, adding he hoped this recent tragedy would serve as a warning to underage drinkers.

Visitation for Lurk is scheduled today after 2 p.m. at the Church of Ste. Genevieve. The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the church, according to the Basler Funeral Home in Ste. Genevieve, which was handling arrangments.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

335-6611 extension 127