ST. CHARLES — A man was found dead Monday afternoon in St. Charles Parish, the victim of an apparent suicide, authorities said.

Sgt. Dwayne LaGrange of the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office said at approximately 9:48 a.m. Monday, the Sheriff’s Office responded to a call from a passing motorist on Interstate 10 West Bound at milepost 213 who witnessed a male exit a Honda Civic and leap over the concrete railing into Lake Ponchartrain.

“Immediately, the St. Charles Parish Marine Division began searching for the body,” LaGrange said.

At approximately 12:08 p.m., the body of Rene Darby III, 21, of New Orleans was located and recovered near the location where the victim jumped in Lake Ponchartrain.

“There are no signs of foul play, however an autopsy is scheduled for later this week,” LaGrange said.