UPDATE | Cause of death released for Augusta man found dead in December

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Wednesday, January 30, 2019

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- The Medical Examiner tells News 12 the Augusta man who went missing in Texas died of an accidental drowning.

Satuday, December 29, 2018

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- The Harris County Medical Examiner's Office says the autopsy of the body found in Texas is complete. They confirm it the missing Augusta man, Chris Snellings.

There was no information yet on the cause of death. We will keep you updated.

Friday, December 28, 2018

News 12 @ 6 O’clock / NBC 26 at 7

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Investigators say they were actually searching the bayou for a different case. They say the body found has not been positively identified as the missing Augusta man, Chris Snellings.

The wife of Chris Snellings says she was told it is her husband and officials say based on clothing and other evidence, they're pretty confident as well.

A husband, a father, a friend vanishes 900 miles from home.

"We believe, but have not confirmed, we believe that it is Mr. Snellings body," says Alan Rosen, Harris County 1 Precinct Constable.

Chris Snellings lives in Augusta with his wife Yvonne. He travels to Houston every week to do contract work for Harris County.

Yvonne didn't want to go on camera but sent me a statement:

"Chris was fun loving and since he traveled, loved spending time at home with me (wife). He was excited for Christmas because our son, who serves in the US Army and is stationed in Hawaii, would be home."

But Chris never made it.

He was last seen Wednesday night leaving his hotel. On Thursday he didn't make his flight.

"We opened a missing persons' case on Mr. Snellings and started to pursue leads on where he may be."

Yvonne says Chris was her world.

"I was his high school sweetheart, and we've been married for 29 years. Lots of sweet memories," she tells News 12.

Yesterday, her world came crashing down when investigators found a body in the Buffalo Bayou.

"Does this person match the description of a missing person? Yes, very much so."

"We're very sad for the family. Our hearts go out. This is a horrible time of year for something like this to happen."

But now his wife is left wondering why.

"Chris would be humbled to know just how many people prayed for his safe return. We can't thank everyone enough for their love and support during this difficult situation."

Right now, investigators say there was no visible sign of foul play, but they haven't determined if this was a crime or an accident.

The Houston Police Department is now taking over hopefully, the autopsy results will give clues and closure.

1:34 p.m.

HARRIS COUNTY, Tx. (WRDW/WAGT) – The wife of a missing Augusta man tells News 12 her husband’s body has been found in Texas.

Officials have yet to confirm the body was that of Chris Snellings, but we have been in contact with his family.

Snellings was last seen in the Houston area on December 19th. He does contract work in the area and flies home every weekend.

The body has not been identified through DNA, but it appears that it is Snellings.

Check back with News 12 as we continue to update this developing story.

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

HARRIS COUNTY, Tx. (WRDW/WAGT) -- Harris County officers are searching for Augusta man Chris Snellings.

Snellings does contract work in Houston, Texas, but returns home to Augusta every weekend. He was last seen Wednesday in downtown Houston outside the hotel where he was staying.

Snellings was scheduled to fly home to Augusta on Thursday, but he never made it. His wife says he was not on the plane home. She also says he is an insulin-dependent diabetic, and she doesn't know if he has his medication.

Snellings is 5'7" and about 165 pounds. He was last seen wearing a light blue shirt, a dark blue sweater, and blue jeans.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Harris County Texas Constable’s Office, Precinct 1 at 1-713-755-7628.