Autopsy Shows Drowning Cause of Death [Updated]

Update at 12:30 p.m. on July 11

The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled Alexander Bergman's death as "asphyxia by submersion" - a drowning.

LoHud.com looks at the impact of the death on the community of Somers, N.Y. Four years ago, a close friend of Bergman was killed by a drunken hit-and-run driver.

Update at 11:30 a.m. on July 10

The Connecticut Office of the Medical Examiner confirmed that the body found in the pool belongs to Alexander Bergman, who went missing on Sunday. An autopsy to determine the cause of death is planned for Wednesday morning. 

According to lohud.com, Bergman was a 2007 graduate of North Salem High School in Westchester County, N.Y.

Update as of 7:45 p.m. on July 9

About 40 hours after being reported missing by his friends, the search for Alexander Bergman has ended.

The Ridgefield Press is reporting that a body, believed to be that of the 23-year-old, was pulled late this afternoon from a swimming pool at the house where Bergman was last seen.

Police have not yet released an official statement about the incident. Ridgefield Patch will provide that information once it is made available.

Update at 1:40 p.m. on July 9

Emergency workers broadened their search for Alexander Bergman to include bodies of water in the woods where he went missing early Sunday morning. As to where the 23-year-old might be, Ridgefield Police Capt. Brian Terzian said he’s “not assuming anything.”

At the corner of Ridgebury Road and Saw Mill Roads, Terzian and other police have set up on the shaded corner. Several police vehicles, including SUVs with cages for the search dogs, are parked.

About half a mile down the road, the Newtown Underwater Search and Rescue Team searched a small pond on 690 Ridgebury Road.

Update at 11:25 a.m. on Monday, July 9

The Newtown Underwater Search and Rescue team has been called in to look in three bodies of water for Alexander Bergman, a 23-year-old who went missing at 3 a.m. on July 8.

Meanwhile, Ridgefield police and other local and state emergency personel are still combing the woods, with the help of seven K9 units.

Update at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, July 9

Authorities are still searching for Alexander Bergman, who was reported missing early Sunday morning. 

Original Story published on Sunday, July 8 at 7:45 p.m.
State and local authorities have launched a search in the Ridgefield woods for a 23-year-old man who went missing about 16 hours ago.

Alexander Bergman, of Somers, N.Y., was last seen by his friends near 786 Ridgebury Road, wearing only a blue and white swimming trunks, according to Ridgefield Fire Chief Heather Burford. Bergman was reported missing by his friends, she said.

While Burford would not comment as to the circumstances surrounding the missing person report, she said, "Obviously safety is a concern."

Bergman is described as a 6-foot, 2-inch tall white male who weighs 190 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.

Authorities have used an emergency notification system to alert residents of the northern third of town about the incident, including a description of Bergman. If anyone sees him, they are asked to call at 203-438-6531.

A Coordinated Effort

Burford said that bloodhounds from the Connecticut State Police are in the woods attempting to track Bergman. ATV vehicles are on scene and are at the ready to roll out if and when the bloodhounds pick up a scent, Burford said.

Reports also indicate that aerial support from Westchester County is being used to assist in the effort.

Correction: Alexander Bergman was incorrectly identified as being from Somers, Conn. He is from Somers, N.Y.