Mo. man's death in rain-filled ditch ruled an accident

MOREHOUSE, Mo. -- An autopsy determined foul play was not involved in the death of a Morehouse man.

New Madrid County Sheriff Terry Stevens said an autopsy was conducted Friday afternoon on Adan Leija, whose body was discovered early Friday morning in a rain-filled ditch. The preliminary finding determined that Leija drowned.

The New Madrid County Sheriff's Department was notified at 8 a.m. Friday of a body in a ditch at Morehouse. Officers with the Sheriff's Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol began an investigation.

According to Stevens, it was determined Leija had been drinking and was walking home when he apparently stumbled into the ditch which contained about 18 inches of water.

"We are listing it as an accidental death," Stevens said.