On July 12, 2023, the bodies of Kyle Moorman and his three young children were recovered from a pond on the south side of Indianapolis. The family had been missing for six days, sparking a massive search effort by relatives, friends, and volunteers. The cause of death of the four victims was ruled as accidental drowning by the Marion County Coroner’s Office. However, the coroner also revealed that Kyle Moorman had acute ethanol intoxication, a form of alcohol poisoning, at the time of his death. What led to this tragic accident that shook the city and left many questions unanswered?
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The Last Known Contact
According to a timeline released by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD), the last known contact with Kyle Moorman occurred on July 6, around 11 p.m. He told a family member that he was going fishing with his children at the Wildwood Farms subdivision, near Bluff Road and Troy Avenue. He was driving a black 2009 Saab with an unknown paper temporary plate. He had his three children with him: 5-year-old Kyle Moorman II, 2-year-old Kyannah Holland, and 1-year-old Kyran Holland.
The family member reported Kyle Moorman and his children missing on July 9, after not hearing from him for three days. The family member also said that Kyle Moorman’s phone had last been pinged to the pond near Bluff Road at 12:48 a.m. on July 7. This information prompted the family and other concerned citizens to search the area around the pond for any signs of the missing man and his kids.
The Conflicting Information
However, IMPD said that they had conflicting information regarding the last known location of Kyle Moorman’s phone pings. They did not receive credible information about the cell phone pings until the afternoon or early evening of July 12. By then, they had already received several false sightings of Kyle Moorman and his children in different parts of the city.
IMPD also said that they coordinated with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Indianapolis Fire Department (IFD) to schedule searches of two bodies of water using sonar technology. The searches were planned for the morning of July 13, when daylight would be available throughout the process.
The Discovery of the Bodies
Before the scheduled search could take place, officers were dispatched to the pond on Bluff Road just after 7:30 p.m. on July 12. A passerby had spotted a body floating in the water and called 911. The body was later identified as Kyle Moorman. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
A dive team was then called to the scene and located a vehicle submerged in the water using sonar technology. The vehicle was confirmed to be Kyle Moorman’s Saab. Inside the car, the bodies of his three children were found. They were also pronounced dead on the scene.
The Cause of Death
The Marion County Coroner’s Office conducted autopsies on the four victims and released their cause of death on September 8. All three children died as a result of freshwater drowning/accident. Kyle Moorman also died as a result of freshwater drowning, but with acute ethanol intoxication.
Acute ethanol intoxication is a form of alcohol poisoning that occurs from drinking large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time. It can impair judgment, coordination, and consciousness, and lead to fatal complications such as respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, or hypothermia.
According to Fox59, a local doctor said that acute ethanol intoxication is when “the level of alcohol in the body prevents the body from functioning normally.” The doctor also said that it is possible for someone to drown in shallow water if they lose consciousness due to alcohol poisoning.
The Unanswered Questions
The coroner’s finding raised more questions than answers about what happened to Kyle Moorman and his children on that fateful night. How did he end up in the pond with his car? How much alcohol did he consume and why? Was he alone or with someone else? Did he have any mental health issues or personal problems? Did anyone try to stop him or help him?
These questions may never be answered, as IMPD has not issued any further findings or updates on the case since releasing their timeline in July. The case remains a mystery and a tragedy that has left many people heartbroken and baffled.
The family and friends of Kyle Moorman and his children have expressed their grief and shock over their loss. They have also thanked everyone who helped in the search effort and offered their support and prayers. They have asked for privacy and respect as they try to cope with their unimaginable pain.
Kyle Moorman Cause of Death: A Tragic Accident That Shook Indianapolis is a sad story that reminds us of the dangers of alcohol abuse and the importance of safety and responsibility. It also shows us the value of life and the need for compassion and empathy for those who are suffering. May Kyle Moorman and his children rest in peace.