Toxicology Report Returned on Man Pulled From Concho River, Drugs Found

A wide array of drugs was found in the system of a 52-year-old man pulled from the Concho River last month.

The man, Barney Eugene Keele, was under water for some 10-15 minutes after falling in at roughly 2:30 a.m. on Aug. 29, police said. Emergency personnel entered the water, located him and pulled him out to begin CPR. Keele did not survive.

A press release issued by the San Angelo Police Department after the man’s death noted that medical personnel stated that Keele may have suffered a medical complication prior to falling in the water. Family members claimed he suffered a heart attack on shore before entering the water, while witnesses on scene reported he was having difficulty walking and keeping his balance on shore.

At the time of Keele’s death, the cause was unknown; however, a toxicology report dated Sept. 9 shows that Keele was under the influence of a cocktail of drugs at the time of his death, including stimulants and depressants. Some of those drugs are obtainable only by prescription; others were of the illegal street variety.

The toxicology report does not state whether the drug combination contributed to Keele’s death.

Update 2:27 p.m.

A family member has stated that Keele died of cardiac arrest, which was noted on his death certificate.