Starke County Coroner Kris Rannells has released the cause and manner of death in the case of Isaiah Grounds.

A forensic autopsy was conducted at the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center in Fort Wayne by Forensic Pathologist Dr. Scott Wagner. Dr. Wagner determined that Grounds’ cause of death was a combined effect of acute blood loss from injuries consistent with a motor vehicle crash and cold exposure. The manner of death was accidental.

Grounds was reported missing on Dec. 12. He was last seen alive at the Grovertown Truckstop entering a vehicle in the early morning hours on Dec. 10. That vehicle was found abandoned following an accident at 3:30 a.m. on Dec. 10. A resident searching for Isaiah Grounds on horseback found his body a half mile from the accident scene on Dec. 23.

Rannells stated that no further details are being released at this time. An investigation is ongoing with the Indiana State Police along with the Starke County Sheriff’s Department.