Authorities are continuing to investigate a possible drowning ina watershed lake in the Bahalia Community Thursday evening.

Ronnie D. Johnson, 48, of Industrial Park Road, was found by afriend around the edge of the private lake, located at 2302 LakeCabin Lane, between 5 and 5:30 p.m., according to Lincoln CountyDeputy Medical Examiner-Coroner Robert Tyler.

“Several people own cabins in that area, and he (Johnson) wasjust visiting with a friend and doing some fishing,” saidTyler.

He added that Johnson’s death had not been ruled as a drowningyet because of some uncertainties.

“He was only in about two to three feet of water, so we aren’tsure if it was a drowning,” said Tyler, speculating that Johnsoncould have died from a heart attack.

Johnson’s friend told Tyler they were fishing from differentareas of the bank, and when he looked over to see how Johnson wasdoing saw him floating in the water.

“The guy said he ran over to him and pulled him to the bank,”said Tyler.

An autopsy was being performed Friday morning in Jackson. Aspokesman from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department said theinvestigation would continue until results from the autopsy werereceived.