Cause of Death Revealed for Woman Found Dead in Lake, as Husband Remains Behind Bars

The body of Hadeel Ghadhanfer Hikma, 34, was found floating in the Jordan Lake in August. Her husband Omar Matthew Ibrahim Drabick was arrested in September, per police

A woman whose body was found by a fisherman in a North Carolina lake last year reportedly died from a gunshot wound, authorities have determined.

The body of Hadeel Ghadhanfer Hikma, 34, was found floating in the Jordan Lake on Aug. 29, in Chatham County, N.C., according to the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office, ABC 11, The News & Observer and Queen City News reported at the time.

In September, her husband Omar Matthew Ibrahim Drabick was arrested and charged with first degree murder in connection with her death, Queen City News and CBS 17 reported at the time, citing an arrest affidavit. He was also charged with concealment of an unnatural death, per the affidavit.

Now, nearly a year after her body was discovered, the medical examiner’s office ruled that she died after being shot in the back, ABC 11, The News & Observer and CBS 17 report.

The manner of her death has been ruled a homicide, ABC 11 reports, citing the medical examiner’s office. The medical examiner has further determined that Hikma may have been injured on a bridge about 700 yards from where she was found, per CBS 17.

Police also found blood splatter, a gun shell casing and jewelry on the bridge, the outlet reported, citing the medical examiner’s ruling.

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In the immediate aftermath of her killing, authorities could not determine if she had died from a gunshot wound or drowning, ABC 11 reports.

"While it is possible that drowning may have played a role in this death, there were no overt signs of such at autopsy," the medical examiners report reads in part, per the outlet.

Later adding: "The severity of the gunshot wound injuries makes it likely that she would have died prior to submersion having a chance to significantly contribute," per ABC 11 and The News & Observer.

Online court records don't indicate if Drabick has entered pleas to the charges. PEOPLE could not immediately reach an attorney listed in his online docket.

If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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