Indiana Drowning Ruled a Homicide

An autopsy by the Monroe County Coroner's office has determined that a 29-year-old Anderson man died Saturday at Lake Monroe near Bloomington from asphyxia as a result of drowning and choking. His death has been ruled a homicide.

Indiana Conservation Officers investigating the incident reported that the victim - Matthew Hosier - was involved in an altercation with a companion after they and others returned to the Fourwinds Marina at approximately 6 p.m. in a pontoon boat the group had rented.

During the altercation, Dillon Barrett, 22, Anderson, allegedly placed a choke hold on Hosier before both men went off the dock and into the water.

DNR Law Enforcement received a 911 call at 6:20 p.m. about a possible drowning. The first Indiana Conservation Officer arrived on scene at 6:28 p.m. and observed two people in the water who appeared to be exhausted and intoxicated.

As ICOs were attempting to ensure the safety of those two individuals, secure the scene, and perform the rescue and recovery efforts for the drowning victim, one of the subjects - Justin Austin - became combative with ICOs and had to be restrained.

Later, another companion, Rian Lemons, also became combative with ICOs and had to be restrained.

Hosier was located by dive team members at 6:44 p.m. and later pronounced dead at a Bloomington hospital.

Three individuals were arrested as a result of the incident:

--Dillon Barrett, 22, Anderson, for battery resulting in serious bodily injury and involuntary manslaughter, both Class C felonies.

--Rian Lemons, 33, Anderson, for disorderly conduct (Class C misdemeanor) and resisting law enforcement (Class A misdemeanor).

--Justin Austin, 22, Anderson, for disorderly conduct (Class C misdemeanor) and public intoxication (Class B misdemeanor).

Contact:
Phil Bloom, DNR Communications (317) 232-4003.