Early Morning Canoe Ride in Bay Turned Tragic For Central Regional Graduate

A decision to take a canoe ride in Barnegat Bay early Friday morning was a tragic one for Ryan Worrall.

Worrall and another friend had attended a party earlier Thursday evening and were dropped off by friends near Worrall's Bayville home very early Friday, State Police Sgt. Stephan Jones said.

The two young men took the canoe out into Barnegat Bay, into the darkness. At some point, the canoe overturned and both men went into the water, Jones said.

"Both attempted to swim to shore," Jones said. "The other kid made it."

Jones did not have the name of the other man, who he said was over 18. It was also unclear whether the friend had notified police of the accident, Jones said.

The other man has not been charged with anything, Jones said.

Worrall's body was found floating in Barnegat Bay off Amherst Beach by an off-duty state trooper on a Wave Runner, Jones has said.

State Marine Police bought Worrall to the C & C Marina off Sloop Creek Road late Friday afternoon, where his body was processed for evidence.

An autopsy performed at Community Medical Center in Toms River Saturday afternoon determined that Worrall died from accidental drowning, Jones said.

Worrall died just two days after he graduated from Central Regional High School  in Bayville. His friends have set up a memorial Facebook page - R.I.P Ryan Worrall.

There were no obvious signs of trauma to the young man's body, but authorities are treating it as a suspicious death, which is routine, Jones said.

"That brings into play all of the investigative resources, CSI, major crimes, the (Ocean County) prosecutor's office," he said. "They are all working together."

Worrall's mother, Lynn MacIntosh, posted several photos on Facebook of her son at his graduation.

"My son Ryan James Worrall on our last day together - June 8, 2011," the caption reads. "His day was filled with fun, love and laughter. He got handshakes, hugs and kisses from family and friends closest to his heart. WE LOVE YOU RYAN!"

His mother also posted a message on her son's memorial page that services will be held from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Mastapeter Funeral Home on Route 9 in Bayville.