Paraguay Senator Falls Into Lake and Drowns

Zulma Ramona Gómez Cáceres, 61, died in an apparent accidental drowning. She lived along the Acaray Lake in Ciudad del Este, in the Alto Paraná department. Paraguayan authorities are still investigating her death, but have said that the late senator may have tripped and fallen into the lake, leading to her drowning.

Gómez Cáceres was apparently staying on a dock near her home when she tripped and fell. Her family members reported that she took a mattress to the dock and said that she wanted to be alone. The waters in the area are around seven to eight meters (23 to 26 feet) deep.

Paraguayan authorities found her body on Sunday next to her lake house. They are still awaiting the toxicology report, according to the Associated Press. It would likely be available within three weeks, said the coroner examining her. However, prosecutor Cinthia Leiva, who oversees the investigation, said that "all signs point to an accidental event."

Coroner Reveals Report on Paraguayan Senator's Body

Coroner Pablo Lemir examined the senator's body and reported that there were "no signs of either a fight, nor defense, nor anything of the sort." He also said that there was no evidence of any blows to the face and added that he did find some injuries, but all were compatible with a fall.

Lemir added that the cause of death has all the characteristics of asphyxiation. Her toxicology report might be able to reveal more details.

Meanwhile, Leiva said that the senator has a habit of going to sleep there on the dock. She told her granddaughter that she wanted to do some reflecting and think. However, her family members were not able to locate her at around 2:30 a.m. This prompted them to call the authorities.

Zulma Ramona Gómez Cáceres' Senate Seat Immediately Replaced

Following her death, her seat will immediately be filled. According to the Washington Post, Danel Rojas López will be sworn in to fill her Senate seat on Thursday. The late senator was a member of the Authentic Liberal Radical Party (PLRA).

Senator Fernando Lugo released a statement following his colleague's death. He said that this has been "profoundly painful" for the Senate, as well as her party, the PRLA, and her family. He also said that people should be guided as the investigation revealed that anybody can have an accident.

According to SILpy, Paraguay's official website for the legislative body, Gómez Cáceres was active in making laws while serving as a member of the Chamber of Senators. The laws she has passed include the protection of wetlands along Laguna Vera, as well as the modification of the general budget. She also helped out scholars and student-athletes with the laws she passed.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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