PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands (AP) -
Authorities in the Turks & Caicos Islands say an autopsy shows that an American attorney died earlier this month due to accidental drowning.
Police announced the autopsy results Monday. However, they added that authorities are awaiting toxicology results, which will not be available for two weeks.
The body of 46-year-old Jeffrey Trent of Charlotte, North Carolina, was found floating July 22 by people on an excursion boat just off the British territory's main island of Providenciales.
Police say rescuers tried unsuccessfully to revive Trent, who was on vacation.
He was a partner in the Charlotte law firm of FrickTrent PLLC.
Law partner Tracy Frick has complained that the firm has been unable to get details about Trent's death from local authorities. She had asked the U.S. State Department for assistance.
Statement from Tracy Frick:
"It has been established, after an autopsy that was done by the authorities in the Turks & Caicos Islands, that my partner Jeff Trent died as a result of an accidental drowning while he was snorkeling off the coast of the Turks & Caicos Islands on Sunday July 22, 2012.
They found no evidence of any foul play in their investigation.
We expect his body to be returned to the US later this week.
His family and all of us at FricktTrent PLLC are devastated by his passing. He was an integral part of our business and he will be greatly missed by everyone.
We know that he would have wanted us to continue doing what we do for our clients everyday and to honor him we have been doing just that.
Jeff loved his work and it was very important to him to see the joy on the faces of the new homeowners that we work with everyday.
We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has poured out their love and concern for us. We appreciate everyone's help and condolences in this very difficult time."
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
