[PHOTO CREDIT: Vickie Chilla Photography]
[Original Publish Date: 07/31/20]
EUSTIS, Florida — The cause of death of the man whose body was found in Lake Eustis during February’s Georgefest has been released.
Maurice Akeem-Vonche McCook, 31, accidentally drowned before being found on Feb. 22, Eustis Police Cpl. Lauren Brown told Lake Legal News Thursday.
McCook, 31, was found mid-afternoon by a passerby in Lake Eustis near Ferran Park EPD Capt. Gary Winheim told Lake Legal News in February. There did not appear to be any signs of trauma to the body and police believed it was a drowning from the beginning of the investigation.
McCook, who was homeless, was arrested less than a month before his body was found. On Jan. 30, he was charged for resisting arrest without violence and was trespassed from Eustis City Hall after throwing Cheetos at City Manager Ronald Neibert, lying about his name and refusing to leave the premises. He was released from jail just over a week before his body was found.
Eustis Police responded to city hall on a report of a person refusing to leave. Neibert told police McCook was blocking a door in the courtyard area of city hall and he was asked to leave. McCook, 31, got upset and yelled at Neibert before throwing Cheetos at him, according to an arrest affidavit.
McCook was charged with resisting an officer without violence and taken to LCJ. According to LCJ records, he was sentenced, and released on Feb. 13.
_______________________________
Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. Born and raised in Lake County, she is a graduate of Umatilla High School and Lake-Sumter State College. She started her journalism career at LSSC, where she was editor of both student publications, The Angler and The Odyssey. Her professional career began at the Daily Commercial in 2004 where she covered cops and courts the majority of her time there until she left in 2009. Currently, along with being Editor-in-Chief of Lake Legal News, she is the Florida bureau chief for an international media organization. She has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
