Exclusive: Family of Vietnam War veteran killed in accident while mowing lawn in Lehigh Acres speaks

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. —

A 76-year-old Vietnam War veteran died Tuesday evening after a lawn mower accident left him pinned beneath the water in a canal behind his Lehigh Acres home, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.

Dennis Moody was mowing his lawn near a canal behind a residence on Monet Street when the riding lawn mower went into the water and trapped him underneath.

A family member discovered Moody in the canal with the mower on top of him and called 911.

A deputy said Moody was submerged beneath the water with a red lawn mower resting on top of him, according to the sheriff’s report. The deputy attempted to check for a pulse but was unable to detect one and observed signs of rigor mortis.

Crews with the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District responded to the scene and pronounced Moody dead at 5:40 p.m.

Sheriff’s officials said homicide detectives and the medical examiner responded to investigate, which is standard procedure in unattended deaths. Authorities described the incident as a tragic accident.

Gulf Coast News spoke to Moody's daughter the day after the tragedy.

“Seeing my dad like that — I had a restless night,” she said. “I was up at 4:30 this morning crying, sick to my stomach about all of this. I can’t believe he’s gone.”

Family members said Moody served in the Vietnam War and received a Purple Heart. His daughter described him as a devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

“He served for this country. He loved this country,” Amanda Moody said. “He was a great dad, a great granddad — an amazing guy, and I miss him so much.”

She said her father enjoyed cutting grass and spent much of his time working in the yard.

“He died doing what he loved to do,” she said.

The accident happened near the canal behind the family’s home, where the lawn mower remained in the water hours after the incident.

The tragedy is especially painful for the family, Amanda Moody said, noting that her mother also died in a drowning nine years ago.

Authorities have not released additional details as the investigation continues.

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