Family Plans Memorial for Dr. J's Son

S A N F O R D, Fla., July 8, 2000 -- While Florida authorities are still trying to figure out the cause of death of the son of NBA legend Julius Erving, family members are going ahead with plans to bury their 19-year-old son, whose body was found in a Florida pond after disappearing Memorial Day weekend.

Cory Erving, 19, will likely be buried in Philadelphia, where hespent his childhood and where his father spent most of his career.

However, a memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at theHeartland Community Church in Kissimmee, about 20 miles south ofOrlando. The service is to be open to the public.

Relatives and friends gathered at the Erving house in theexclusive gated community of Alaqua, north of Orlando, less than amile from where Cory’s body and car were found.

Authorities pulled Cory Marvin Erving’s 1999 black Volkswagen Passat out of a pond Thursday night. The body was found inside.

Few Clues

Investigators say there is no indication that the younger Erving committed suicide.

Medical examiners conducted an autopsy Friday, but were unable to determine the cause or manner of death, said Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger.

Nothing in the physical examination of Cory’s body suggests that foul play was involved.

“There’s been no instrument or weapon found in the car, nothing at all that indicates it was a suicide,” Eslinger said at a press conference on Friday. “We don’t want to speculate on anything. We want to look at all possible scenarios.”

However, he stressed that the investigation was continuing, and that authorities are still waiting for a toxicology report on Cory.

Eslinger did say that the 19-year-old was found in the same clothes he was described as wearing when he was last seen May 28. Investigators have not found any eyewitnesses, but Eslinger said a series of interviews are being scheduled to determine if there were any.

A Family’s GriefEarlier Friday, Julius Erving confirmed that the body found in the pond was his son, and said his family would now go forward and cope with the loss.

“We now have resolution. Getting closure was veryimportant to the family in coping with our loss,” Ervingsaid in a statement released by the Orlando Magic. “We have learned a lot from this tragedy andwe will be a stronger family as a result.”

Erving and his family thanked the public for its help and support during their ordeal.

“We are thankful to themedia and the American public for their thoughts, prayers andcontinued help in this difficult time,” he said in the statement.

The car was found 20 yards from shore in about 8 feet of water.The car’s windows were up and the interior was filled with water.The driver’s side seat belt was not fastened, Eslinger said.

Authorities say the pond is in an area well-traveled, but also off the beaten path in a wooded area between two subdivisions.

Last Time Seen Alive

The last time the family saw Cory, he was going to buy bread fora cookout.

Cory had been working at a sandwich shop, and was taking coursesgeared toward getting a high school equivalency diploma. Despitepast troubles with drugs and alcohol and a learning disability,Cory’s family believed he had turned his life around.

Cory was last seen at a mall in Lake Mary, about 20 miles fromOrlando.

Erving went public June 13 with Cory’s disappearance. Thatproduced hundreds of tips. But officials said that none of thempanned out.

Erving, a Hall of Famer and former NBA MVP, revolutionizedbasketball with his high-flying slam dunks, and was one of thesport’s biggest stars. His 16-year career ended in 1987. He is theexecutive vice president of the Orlando Magic.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.