Chilean ex-President Piñera drowned after a crash in a helicopter he was piloting, prosecutors say
ABC News
Chilean prosecutors have released more details about the death of former President Sebastian Piñera
VIÑA DEL MAR, Chile -- Chilean prosecutors on Wednesday released more details about the death of former President Sebastian Piñera, saying he drowned after the helicopter he was piloting crashed into a lake.
Piñera died on Tuesday after a flight over Lake Ranco, more than 560 miles (900 kilometers) south of Santiago. The crash remains under investigation, but bad weather conditions were reported in the area.
As more details of his death were released, tributes hailing him as a champion of democracy continued to pour in.
On Tuesday night, the former president's body was taken to Valdivia for an autopsy. On Wednesday morning, Chilean President Gabriel Boric received Piñera's body at Santiago airport, accompanied by his widow, Cecilia Morel, and other relatives.
The public can start paying their last respects to Piñera on Wednesday night, with a state funeral to be held on Friday.
