Va. Beach man found dead in North Carolina ditch

PASQUOTANK COUNTY

The body of a cyclist found Friday in Pasquotank County was identified today as a 52-year-old Virginia Beach man.

Joseph Edward Findeisen of the 1100 block of Indian Road in Virginia Beach was found in a ditch with his bicycle Friday on Turnpike Road about 15 miles north of Elizabeth City, said Pasquotank County Sheriff Randy Cartwright. There was no sign of an accident or foul play, he said.

Turnpike Road is a narrow road that winds through a farming area of northern Pasquotank County. The ditch along that part of the road is like a drainage canal about 10 feet deep. About noon Friday, a motorist saw his bicycle wheels up in about 3 feet of water. Findeisen was under water beneath the bicycle. His truck was found less than a half mile away at the intersection of U.S. 158 and Turnpike Road, Cartwright said. Findeisen had likely fallen gone into the ditch during the night. Authorities are not sure why he veered into the ditch, Cartwright said.

A preliminary autopsy indicated his death was of natural causes, Cartwright said. Investigators are still awaiting a medical examiner’s report and toxicology report, he said.