Accidential drowning ruled in death of man in Fairfield pool

A 27-year-old man's death Sunday while swimming in an Evergreen Hill Road pool has been ruled an accidental drowning caused by asphyxia by to the chief state medical examiner's office.

Christopher Perez, of Evergreen Hill Road, and his 14-year-old stepsister were swimming in a neighbor's pool about 6 p.m. Sunday. Perez had been dog-sitting for the homeowner's pets and had permission to use the pool.

Perez, described as a "good swimmer," had just swum the length of the pool underwater and when he surfaced, complained to his stepsister of discomfort in an arm, according to police. He went back under water and when he did not resurface, his stepsister ran across the street to alert her parents. They were able to get Perez out of the pool, began performing CPR, and called 911.

Perez was later declared dead at St. Vincent's Medical Center in Bridgeport.