83 year-old man drowns at Southern Pines assisted living facility

Southern Pines (WTVD) -- A 83-year-old man drowned near his home at an assisted living facility Saturday afternoon. The victim is identified as Pete Grine, a retired urologist. His family has been notified.

Staff at St. Joseph's of the Pines Coventry say it happened after his lunch time. Grine was was walking back home with a friend just before the drowning.

The retired doctor lived onsite. Staff responded and attempted to bring him back to life. Emergency crews were also unsuccessful

What's not clear, investigators say, is what caused him to go under and not come back up. Authorities will determine if he suffered a medical emergency or walked in to the pond voluntarily.

The medical examiner will release the official cause of death.

The St. Joseph's of the Pines released a statement: "This appears to be an unfortunate accident," Steven Kastner, president and CEO for St. Joseph of the Pines. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Grine family."