NEW YORK, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- New York medical authorities have released details concerning the death of fashion model Charles DeVoe, who died from a Nov. 12 surfing accident.
Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the New York City Medical Examiner's Office, told United Press International Thursday the 28-year-old model died Dec. 21 from anoxic-ischemic encephalopathy from a near drowning off the Rockaway Peninsula in the New York City borough of Queens.
DeVoe, who had modeled for several fashion houses including Dolce & Gabbana and Anne Klein, was surfing when his leash, a tether connecting the surfer's ankle to the board, became snagged on an underwater pole, the New York Daily News reported Monday.
He was held under for several minutes before members of the New York Fire Department could rescue him.
He went into a coma due to lack of oxygen to the brain and his condition deteriorated, Borakove told United Press International.
Borakove neither confirmed nor denied any physical head trauma.
His body was cremated in the Bronx Sunday.
