Woman dies after being discovered in ditch
At approximately 6:40 a.m. Mar. 11, officers were dispatched to the 10100 block of W. 129th Ave for the report of an elderly woman found on the side of the roadway in the ditch, not fully clothed.
Upon arrival, Corporal Richard Pennington and Officer Ben King observed and checked on the 80-year-old female who was found partially clothed and unresponsive with a faint pulse. Cedar Lake Fire Department medics arrived and attended to the 80-year-old female and ultimately transported her to a nearby medical facility.
Sgt. Ryan Miller spoke with two females who were walking and observed the female in the ditch and immediately called 911. At that time Detective Marcus McDowell arrived and took over the investigation. With no identification, there was no way to determine immediately who the female was or where she lived. Dt. McDowell was notified the female did not survive and was now being transported to the Lake County Coroner's Office. While working with the coroner the identity of the 80-year-old female was made. It was determined she resided alone in the 13000 block of Grasselli St., near where she was found. An immediate check of her residence was done and nothing was disturbed and no foul play was suspected at this time. The coroner also determined the female did not have any obvious injury and a preliminary autopsy suggested the female had drowned. Contact with the family was made and they are working with Dt. McDowell.
Dt. McDowell was able to find the female walking at about midnight and approached the Cedar Lake Clubhouse on W. 129th Ave. The female was captured on video and was clearly confused and disoriented, not appropriately dressed, and carrying two pillows from her house.
This case is still under investigation, the name of the deceased is being withheld along with any other information related to this case. At this time, we believe this was an accident. There is no evidence of a crime or a threat to anyone else.
If anyone recalls seeing this female walking in the late hours of Monday, Mar. 10 to the morning hours of Tuesday, Mar. please contact Deputy Chief Carl Brittingham or Detective Marcus McDowell at (219) 374-5416 ext. 1721.