St. John coroner clears confusion over bodies

Published 12:00 am Monday, December 12, 2005

By MOLLY DRYMAN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE — St. John Parish’s Coroner Dr. Christy Montegut and the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office headed off concerns regarding two recently-discovered bodies, in the hopes of clearing up any confusion.

The concerns started after two different bodies were found in two area canals. The body found in the waters by Interstate 55, about five miles north of Peavine Road, still has not been identified and the cause of death has not yet been determined. The other body, found in the Godchaux Canal in Reserve, was identified as Frank J. Miano Jr., 74 of Reserve.

An autopsy has been completed for Miano, and Montegut said it is apparent that Miano drowned.

&#8220The final results of the autopsy was accidental death,” he said. &#8220He somehow lost his balance and fell into the drainage canal, and he couldn’t get out, so he suffocated. There was no sign of foul play after completion of an autopsy and death scene investigation.”

Maj. Mike Tregre with the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office said St. John Parish has not had a high number of murders this year and all, but one have been solved.