Burned woman sought comfort in lake, drowned
A woman found dead in Lake Chillisquauque in April is believed to have sought relief from tanning-bed leg burns in the cold water and by taking an excessive amount of pain medicine, according to Montour County officials.
The death of Amanda Dawn Cecil, 30, of Washingtonville, was ruled accidental Wednesday by Montour County Coroner Scott Lynn and Montour County District Attorney Robert Buehner Jr.
Cecil’s body was found April 28 in the lake at PPL Montour Preserve.
The investigation showed she had previously suffered burns on her lower extremities as a result of falling asleep on a tanning bed. She had been seeking relief earlier that day by icing her legs and taking various medications, according to Buehner and Lynn.
The officials believe she went to the Derry Township lake to place her legs in the cold water and had taken an excessive amount of pain medication that caused her to become unconscious when she stepped into the lake, resulting in her death by drowning.
An autopsy performed by forensic pathologist Dr. Sam Land, of Allentown, showed the cause of death by drowning and mixed drug toxicity.
The drugs found in her body were all valid prescription medications, Lynn and Buehner said.
No evidence of any trauma or signs of foul play were found, they reported.
A state police spokesman from the Milton barracks said Wednesday the autopsy results had been pending a full toxicology report from the laboratory.
Cecil’s body was found around 5:30 p.m. near the shoreline. First responders included local firefighters, ambulance and emergency personnel who made heroic efforts to resuscitate Cecil, Lynn and Buehner said.
Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Warren and Trooper Matt Laforme, of state police at Milton, directed the investigation.
Cecil was wearing black sweat pants, a tan sweat shirt, flip flops and large red sunglasses at the time.
According to her obituary, Cecil worked as a clerk at the Shell Station Convenience Store in Danville. She is survived by one son, one daughter and her fiancé. Read More
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