Death at Refuge ruled a suicide

The death of a man found at Quanah Parker Lake last summer has been ruled a suicide.

Muhammad Tauseef Riaz, 36, of Richmond, Texas, was found July 6, 2024, at the body of water on the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.

According to State Medical Examiner Leonard Roquero’s autopsy report, Riaz’s probable cause of death was from drowning. He also had a superficial cut to his left wrist and the examiner noted he had been exposed to benzene which can be found from smoking as well as in glues, adhesives, cleaning products and paint strippers.

The Comanche County Sheriff’s Department, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of investigation were all called to assist with the case after Riaz was found, with Comanche County Sheriff’s taking the lead.

The FBI was originally called in under the suspicion of foul play on tribal land, but after it was confirmed that no foul play was involved, they left the investigation to the local authorities.