A Union Springs woman found drowned in a village pond had illegal narcotics in her body at the time of her death.

The Onondaga County Medical Examiner's Office completed its investigation into the May 12 drowning of Elaine R. Lewis, 48. Results of a toxicology report - that reviewed samples of body fluids and other body tissues - were given Thursday to the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office.

The office's investigation into Lewis' death remains open. Investigators believe that Lewis' death was accidental and possibly a result of an adverse reaction between the narcotics and prescription drugs, Sheriff Rob Outhouse said.

“The family deserves answers. The community deserves answers. We want answers,” Outhouse said.

The medical examiner's final report determined that Lewis' death was due to accidentally drowning with drug intoxication as a contributing factor. There were no signs of foul play and there was no indication Lewis was at risk of harm from someone else or at risk of harming herself, Outhouse said.

The prescription drugs found in Lewis' system were at a normal level, so it was only the narcotics that qualified as an overdose, Outhouse reported.

Outhouse said he would not identify the type of narcotics because his office is still investigating how Lewis - not known to have a drug use history - came to ingest the narcotics.

Lewis was found submerged in a spring-fed pond across the street from her home at 13 Factory St. A neighbor had last seen her standing outside of her house at 4 a.m., 16 hours before she was found dead. Lewis had been reported missing by her daughter, Rebecca Irving, of Auburn.

Her home was unlocked and her car still parked in the drive. She lived alone except for two dogs and a cat.

Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or at amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net