Preliminary reports from an autopsy performed Saturday on former Colorado Springs mayoral candidate Mitch Christiansen show the cause and manner of death to be accidental drowning, the Park County coroner’s office said.
Christiansen’s body was found early Friday pinned against rocks at Elevenmile Reservoir. The 64-year-old and his wife, Susan, went to the reservoir on May 21 for a fishing competition.
Susan Christiansen’s body and a capsized boat were recovered May 22 on the eastern side of the reservoir. Colorado State Park rangers, search and rescue dogs and members of the Hartsel Fire & Rescue Dive Team searched all week for the former candidate’s body.
Divers followed indications by the dogs Thursday and concentrated the search Friday on an 18-foot-deep area near where Susan Christiansen, 62, was found.
A memorial service will be held for the couple at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Eastside Church of Christ, 5905 Flintridge Drive.
