No Evidence Miami News Anchor Suffered From Lewy Body Dementia

MIAMI, FL— The autopsy of longtime Miami TV news anchor Todd Tongen found no evidence that Tongen suffered from Lewy body dementia, contrary to what the 56-year-old may have thought at the time he took own his life, according to the Broward County Medical Examiner.

The autopsy, which was released Monday, ruled the WPLG-TV news anchor's death a suicide as a result of hanging.

"The neuropathology report found no evidence of Lewy Body Disease," wrote Chief Medical Examiner Craig T. Mallak.

Tongen was found on the floor of his Broward County home on June 3. The Broward County Medical Examiner's Office said it performed a complete autopsy based on the family's concern that Tongen suffered from Lewy body disease, which took the life of Tongen's mother and afflicted actor Robin Williams, who also took his own life.

WPLG's Michael Putney, who first took to the air to announce the death of his longtime friend, said Tongen may have believed he was in the beginning stages of Lewy body dementia. See also 'Beloved' WPLG-TV News Anchor Found Dead In Home

"Perhaps the saddest part of the sad story is that Todd was home alone with his demons," Putney said at the time, noting that Tungen's wife was in Italy with one his two sons at the time while the other son was away at Florida State University.

Tongen's brother, a physician, told WPLG that the newscaster did not appear to have been planning to take his life.

"We believe that he was having some balance problems and he was very, very concerned about having Lewy body dementia, which afflicted our mother and her death," Dr. Scott Tongen told the television station, adding that his brother left some garbled messages and a "simple note that said he was lost and to forgive him."

According to the Mayo Clinic, Lewy body dementia is the second most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer's. The disease causes a progressive decline in mental abilities and may lead to hallucinations, changes in alertness and attention as well as Parkinson's like symptoms such as rigid muscles, slow movement and tremors. It can also cause aggressive behavior and depression.

Tongen's body was discovered by a family friend when his wife couldn't get in touch with him.

The autopsy found acetaminophen, hydrocodone and propoxyphene in Tongen's blood as well as cannabinoids, THC and hydrocodone in his urine. Hydrocodone and propoxyphene are both taken for pain.

Tongen was hired by the ABC affiliate in December of 1989 and soon took on the weather before moving into news. He will be remembered for his entertaining features and his sense of humor.

In recent years, the gregarious Tongen anchored the weekend morning news on WPLG-TV with co-anchor Neki Mohan, who described Tongen as her creative soulmate.

"He is forgiven and missed terribly," Putney added during Wednesday's broadcast. "We all loved Todd Tongen."

One of Tongen's most memorable features at WPLG was his long-running "10 Taxi," in which he conducted celebrity interviews in a converted 1967 Checker taxi cab.

Watch Tongen below via YouTube:

Tongen is survived by his wife Karen and his two sons: Tyler and Ryker.

Anyone struggling with mental health can get help by calling the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, visiting this website or by texting HOME to 741741.