Body found floating in Flax Pond identified as 20-year-old Lynn man

LYNN – The family of Richard Roussin remained devastated Thursday as they prepared for his funeral.The 20-year-old Maple Street man was found floating in Lynn’s Flax Pond around noon Wednesday.Police are still investigating Roussin’s official cause of death, but say it does not look suspicious.”I don’t understand how he got into that pond,” said Roussin’s mother, Ann Hornsby. “We’re trying to find answers.”Bystanders watched in horror Wednesday as Roussin’s body, fully clothed in a red T-shirt, jeans, and a pair of black Converse sneakers was pulled to shore from a shallow section of the pond.”I just came with my two kids to see the fish swimming and jumping, and I saw the body over there,” said Edgar Baez, who made the discovery.According to Police Capt. Mark O’Toole, investigators do not believe a swimming accident caused Roussin’s death, but said there were no signs of trauma. An autopsy was scheduled for Thursday, but the results were not immediately available.Roussin’s parents said they had not seen their son in several weeks and thought he was staying with his girlfriend. Roussin’s stepfather, Robert Hornsby Jr., said Roussin attended Lynn Vocational Technical Institute and recently worked for an electrician.Investigators went door-to-door around Flax Pond shortly after Roussin’s body was discovered, asking neighbors if they saw anything unusual.”If anybody knows anything, please come forward,” Roussin’s mother said.The family plans to bury their son on Tuesday. They are asking for donations to help with funeral expenses. If you would like to donate, please send a check to Ann and Robert Hornsby, 320 Maple St. #2, Lynn, MA 01904.