News Releases

Detectives Investigate Undetermined Sudden Death

For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 24, 2014

Detectives from the Montgomery County Police Major Crimes Division – Homicide/Sex Section are investigating the death of an 8-year-old girl who was transported for treatment to an area hospital after swimming and diving at an area pool.

On July 22, at approximately 2:39 p.m., Rockville City and 1st District officers, along with Fire and Rescue personnel responded to the Rockville Swim Center located at 355 Martins Lane for the report of a possible drowning.

The investigation revealed that Stephanie Benitez from the 1700 block of Gunther Avenue in Rockville, had jumped from the diving board into the deep end of the pool and swam to a nearby ladder. When she reached the ladder, she did not have the strength to pull herself out of the water and began making what were described as unusual movements.

Lifeguards were immediately alerted and pulled the victim from the pool. They began treatment, but the victim was unresponsive and remained unconscious. She was flown to an area hospital where she was pronounced deceased later that night.

No foul play is suspected. The cause of death remains undetermined pending the results of an autopsy by the Medical Examiner’s Office in Baltimore.

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LEHB

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Release ID: 14-254
Media Contact: mcpnews 
Categories: press-releases