Autopsy: Body in Asheville river was drowning victim

ASHEVILLE – City police say an autopsy shows a man whose body was found in the French Broad River drowned, but the victim’s family members say they believe foul play was involved.

The body of George Tyler Mullins, 25, was discovered by a kayaker in the river near Woodfin on March 15.

Mullins grew up in Grayson, Ky. but had been homeless in Asheville for the past two years, according to family members. He was reported missing on Dec. 18, according to an Asheville police report.

Mullins’ father, Warnie Mullins of Grayson, Ky., said Asheville police told him that his son was involved in a fight with several other men on the riverbank in Asheville and that his son wound up in the water. He said he believes the other men threw his son in the river.

“It’s pretty much at a standstill in my opinion,” Mullins said of the investigation.

Asheville police Lt. Curtis Jones said an autopsy determined drowning was the cause of death, but he noted that detectives have not closed the case.

“APD is still investigating the circumstances surrounding the drowning,” Jones said.

Woodfin police initially began investigating, but Jones confirmed the Asheville department had taken over the case. He said he could not discuss other details.

Warnie Mullins said his son was a bright child with lots of potential but had started taking drugs in his teenage years. After high school, the younger Mullins briefly attended Morehead State University.

“Tyler had a real high IQ,” his father said. “He could have made something of himself if he had applied himself. He just went the wrong way.”

Mullins said he didn’t know how his son wound up in Asheville about two years ago.

Tyler Mullins’ funeral was held in Grayson, Ky. on March 31. He left behind a 2-year-old son from a previous relationship in Grayson, among other relatives.