Coroner finds no evidence Wellington Harbour drowning death was suicide

Cory Pearson's body was spotted by a member of the public, near Queens Wharf in Wellington. Photo/Google Maps

A coroner says there is no evidence a young man who drowned in Wellington Harbour committed suicide.

Cory Ian Pearson drowned in the harbour around September 26 to 27, 2016.

It is unclear why the 26-year-old was in the water, but coroner Carla na Nagara said the drowning was not intentional.

A member of the public saw Pearson's body floating facedown near Queens Wharf on the morning of September 27, and called the police, who pulled the body from the water.

Pearson's body had no wallet or other property, and no distinguishing features.

Police used fingerprints to identify him.

Na Nagara's report into the death said the post-mortem examination found nothing suspicious and no evidence Pearson had suffered any injuries before his death.

He did have a particularly high acetone level at the time he died, which could be from uncontrolled diabetes, a prolonged period of fasting, starving or exercise, or hypothermia.

"There is no evidence that assists in establishing with any certainty how Cory came to be in the water," the report said.

"As far as has been able to be established, there is nothing suspicious about the circumstances of Cory's death. He may have simply fallen into the water."

He was not incapacitated by drugs or alcohol at the time of his death.

"It would appear from his mother's recollection of Cory's experiences learning to swim that he was not a confident swimmer. It follow that he would have struggled to stay afloat and rescue himself once he found himself in the water. Any efforts he made would have been significantly impeded by the fact that he was fully clothed, including wearing shoes, when he was found."