Preliminary autopsy results reveal that a beloved Catholic priest from Brownsville died from asphyxiation by hanging.
Brownsville police said the body of 49-year old Father Ricardo Garcia was found in the backyard of the rectory of Mary Mother of the Church Catholic Church on Monday.
Investigators told Action 4 News that Garcia died in an apparent suicide.
Cameron Coutny Pct. 2-2 Justice of the Peace Tony Torres ordered an autopsy in the case.
Autopsy records released on Friday show that Garcia hung himself.
A motive has not been released while the autopsy records show that toxicology results remain pending.
Diocese of Brownsville did not return calls for comment but said earlier this week that officials did not want to discuss the manner of Garcia's death.
A funeral Mass was held for Garcia at at the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle-National Shrine at 9:30 a.m. Friday.
Action 4 News had a crew outside the building but they were asked to the leave the church grounds.
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