LUMBERTON, Texas — Kolby Kulhanek was 25 years old when deputies found his body near a dirt pit in October 2018.
Jefferson County deputies flying the department's helicopter spotted him in the 9400 block of Cooks Lake Road in Lumberton. The Lumberton man had been missing for a week before his body was discovered.
Before finding Kulhanek, officials found his car half a mile away from where his body was located.
A medical examiner ruled Kulhanek’s death an accidental drowning even though there was no fluid in his lungs. Following the ruling, his mom, Susan Kulhanek, fought to get her son’s body re-examined.
In November 2022, Kolby Kulhanek's body was exhumed and sent to the University of North Texas for examination.
The new autopsy result revealed the Lumberton man’s death was drug related.
“I knew he didn't drown and the truth is what I was after,” Susan Kulhanek said.
The mother has waited more than four years to find out the truth. She knew her son struggled with addiction.
"The cause of death is intoxication by methamphetamine,” Susan Kulhanek said. "He had gone out to California, at a rehab, and was there 45 days. He was doing great, came back and two weeks later, he's gone.”
At first, the family expected his death to be related to drugs. However, following the initial autopsy, they were left with more questions.
A preliminary autopsy mentioned a potential bullet hole in Kolby Kulhanek's face.
Related: Mom now says investigators 'evaluating bullet wound' in body of Lumberton man who died in 2018
"We got some answers,” Susan Kulhanek said. “We found out that the hole on his face was from scavengers."
The explanation was a relief for Susan Kulhanek.
"That gives me peace because for the last four years I worried about that, that he suffered," she said.
While some answers have been provided, the mother still has questions.
"I know that he did not get from that car to the pond naked in that terrain. It just didn't happen that way,” Susan Kulhanek said. “Mom's not done yet."
Hardin County Sheriff Mark Davis said they will have to speak to the district attorney to determine what happens next in their investigation.
It has now been more than 100 days since Kolby Kulhanek’s body was exhumed.
"Coming here has brought me comfort and him being gone, I felt really empty,” Susan Kulhanek said
Kolby Kulhanek's family is asking anyone who has any information about what happened to their loved one to contact the Hardin County Sheriff's Office. They are offering a $25,000 reward.
The family is holding a memorial service Saturday, February 18, 2023, at noon at Broussard's in Silsbee. They're inviting the community to come and pay their respects.