Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020
Drowning, meth killed man found in lake
By Sydney Albert
CELINA - The autopsy of a Celina man whose body was pulled from Grand Lake in March concluded his death was the result of drowning and methamphetamine intoxication.
Tre Billger, 26, had been reported missing by his family on Feb. 21 after last being seen alive on Feb. 18. At about 7:02 p.m. March 17, Celina police dispatch received a call reporting a body floating in the lake along the shoreline near the Celina Rotary Lighthouse along South Main Street. The body was sent to the Montgomery County Coroner's Office and later identified as Billger's.
In the autopsy report, Dr. Lee D. Lehman, chief deputy coroner, wrote in his opinion, Billger's death was the cause of "drowning with methamphetamine intoxication contributing."
Lehman reported finding "no apparent significant trauma." He noted the body showed signs of early decomposition, and found evidence indicating a pulmonary edema or excess fluid in the lungs.
A blood sample from Billger reportedly tested positive for methamphetamine, with a concentration of more than 2,000 nanograms per milliliter.
A urine sample also tested positive for tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.
Celina Police Chief Tom Wale did not respond to requests for comment before press time.
