PANAMA CITY BEACH — The family of a 27-year-old man who was found dead in a pool earlier this week laid him to rest Friday.
Cook, who worked for Cox Pools, and a co-worker were sent to a repair job at a home on North Lagoon Drive on Monday morning. In the course of repairing the pool’s lights, his co-worker discovered Cook at the bottom of the pool, according to law enforcement reports. The co-worker, who has not been named, then pulled the unresponsive man from the water and told the homeowner to call 911.
Deputies from Bay County Sheriff’s Office attempted to revive Cook until Bay County Fire and EMS arrived to transport Cook to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Cox Pools released a statement on Cook’s death Thursday.
“We at Cox Pools are grieved by the loss of Ryan Cook. Our hearts and prayers go out to Ryan’s family and our family here at Cox Pools,” said owner Richard Cox.
Authorities suspect Cook’s death may have involved electrocution because of exposed electrical wires found in the pool, although the cause of death still is unclear.
“The cause of death has not been determined at this time,” Andrew Winkler, forensic investigator with the 14th Circuit Medical Examiner’s Office, said Thursday. “It’s still pending further investigation.”
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office still is conducting an investigation but did rule out foul play Monday.
“At this time no determination has been made as to the cause of Ryan’s passing, but we are working closely with OSHA, law enforcement and all involved to determine a conclusion,” Cox said.
Cook was the stepson of Vernon Mayor Michelle Cook, and he leaves behind two young children, Gracie and Matthew Cook.
“We will be forthcoming with any new information,” Cox said. “Again, our thoughts and prayers go out to the Cook family as they need all the support they can get, not only from us but from the entire community as a whole.
Cook’s funeral was held Friday at Abigail Freewill Baptist Church in Vernon, followed by internment at New Hope Cemetery.