A 70-year-old marathon runner who was just disqualified for cheating in the L.A. Marathon back in March was found dead in the Los Angeles River.
Dr. Frank Meza, a retired physician, told his wife he was going for a run and that's the last time he was seen. His body was found Thursday morning in the River lying in shallow water.
Dr. Meza was distraught over the cheating allegation ... he had set a Marathon record for his age class -- 2 hours, 53 minutes, 10 seconds in the March Marathon, but officials became suspicious. Officials found video and eyewitnesses who said he had left the course and reentered from a different location.
L.A. Marathon Officials officially disqualified Dr. Meza Monday ... 3 days before his death.
Dr. Meza acknowledged he left the course, but only to find a bathroom.
His wife said running was extremely important to Dr. Meza and he strongly denied the cheating allegation.
It wasn't the first time Meza was accused of cutting corners. He had twice been disqualified from the Sacramento Marathon after authorities determined he cut the course. He was banned from participating in that marathon.
Authorities have ruled out drowning as a cause of death.