Asphyxia, Drowning Caused Contra Costa Co. Woman's Death: Coroner

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A missing Discovery Bay woman found dead in the water Wednesday night died by asphyxia due to drowning, according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office.

A man flagged down a deputy shortly before 9:30 p.m. Tuesday to report that his wife, 53-year-old Ching "Ping" Chen, had gone missing around 7 p.m. from their home in the 5500 block of Beaver Lane near Cornell Park, an area surrounded by water, sheriff's officials said.

Deputies were not able to find her during an initial search or during subsequent efforts Wednesday morning. At about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Chen's body was found submerged in the water behind a residence on Beaver Lane, according to the sheriff's office.

Chen's body was recovered and turned over to the county coroner's office. The results of her autopsy were released Thursday afternoon.

—Bay City News