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Washington, D.C., man dead after drowning in the Shenandoah River on Sunday

Crystal Graham
shenandoah river
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A 37-year-old man visiting Page County over the long Fourth of July weekend has died after drowning in the Shenandoah River near Compton Rapids.

Melvin Sorto from Washington, D.C., died at the scene on Sunday just after 4 p.m.

There were no signs of foul play. Alcohol is believed to be a factor, according to the Page County Sheriff’s Department.

Page County deputies, along with Luray and Shenandoah fire departments, Luray Rescue and Page County EMS responded to the 911 call.

The victim was pulled from the water by bystanders who attempted to perform life-saving measures.

The body was sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Manassas for an autopsy.

Crystal Graham

Crystal Graham

Crystal Abbe Graham is the regional editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1999 graduate of Virginia Tech, she has worked for 25 years as a reporter and editor for several Virginia publications, written a book, and garnered more than a dozen Virginia Press Association awards for writing and graphic design. She was the co-host of "Viewpoints," a weekly TV news show, and co-host of Virginia Tonight, a nightly TV news show on PBS. Her work on "Virginia Tonight" earned her a national Telly award for excellence in television.