By LYNETTE HAALAND, Four Points News

Nancy Eisemann Blackburn’s body was discovered in a submerged vehicle in Lake Austin at the end of Quinlan Park Road just over a year ago on Feb. 2, 2019, and Austin Police Department stated that her blood alcohol level was three times the legal limit.  

“The deceased was identified as Nancy Eisemann Blackburn, born 9/28/65. Her death was ruled accidental,” according to the Austin Police Department public information office. “Her blood alcohol level at the time of the crash was 3X the legal limit.”

The vehicle Blackburn was in was at 1705 South Quinlan Park Rd., which ends at the Mary Quinlan Park boat ramp.  

The vehicle was discovered when a man was trying to put his boat into Lake Austin around sunrise on Feb. 2, 2019. When he backed up, his boat trailer hit the submerged vehicle and he called 9-1-1 at 7:48 a.m., according to APD.

The body of Blackburn was found inside the driver’s seat, APD senior officer Demitri Hobbs told the media a few hours after the body was discovered.

Rescue swimmers from Lake Travis Fire Rescue or Travis County Emergency Services District No. 6 pulled her body from the vehicle. Her body was sent to the medical examiner for an autopsy. Toxicology results can often take months to come back. 

APD did not have details of how or why her vehicle was in Lake Austin. 

Blackburn’s obituary reads that she was born on September 28, 1965 in Houston where she was raised by her parents with her two brothers and a sister.

She was the “loving mother of four” and “Nancy had many hobbies and interests, but none as important as the well-being and happiness of her children.”

Blackburn attended Texas Christian University and The University of Texas at Austin where she received a BS in communication in 1987. She had a deep connection with animals and loved to travel.

“She loved to share the joys of life and the Spirit of God with everyone… Her desire to help, comfort and guide others through their misfortune was her spiritual gift… Nancy flourished in her church community… Through her vulnerability she developed a confidence in her faith that ignited a resilience that shined in her the last few years with her family,” her obituary stated.  

A celebration of Blackburn’s life was held on Feb. 19, 2019 at Life Austin Chapel.