The city medical examiner's office said yesterday that it cannot determine if the East Side book dealer's death by drowning was the result of foul play, suicide or an accident.

"How did she get into the water? Did she fall? Did she jump? Or was she pushed? The choices are accident, suicide and homicide, and we don't have enough information to make a ruling," said Ellen Borakove, a spokeswoman for the medical examiner.

Aronov, a doctor's wife, disappeared March 3 shortly after she was seen walking her father's dog along York Ave. Her body was found May 6 in the East River, off Long Island City, Queens.

The medical examiner's office said it will reopen its probe if there are any new developments in the case. An NYPD spokeswoman said the investigation is ongoing.

Aronov's bizarre disappearance had gripped the city. Her husband, Dr. Alexander Aronov, and two daughters couldn't explain why she disappeared and had held out hope she would be found alive.

Bruises on Aronov's legs had led some investigators to speculate that she climbed over a railing to jump into the river. But Borakove said the findings were inconclusive in trying to explain how Aronov came to drown.

"The family prays that this mystery will be solved," said Rae Koshetz, a lawyer speaking on behalf of Aronov's husband yesterday.

Aronov's will was filed in Manhattan Surrogate's Court a week earlier, splitting her $1.45 million estate, including a Southampton, L.I., weekend home, among her husband, children and parents.

Meanwhile, relatives and friends continued scraping for leads to learn more about what happened to Aronov.

"I don't think anyone is going to be satisfied until we find out the truth," said Steve Klein, a family friend.

Originally published on June 27, 2003