By Mae Rhine, The Packet Group
The body of an 18-year-old Florence girl found in Sherman’s Pond in May contained “significant levels of cocaine” at the time of her death, which the Burlington County medical examiner has ruled was a suicide.
According to county spokesman Ralph Schrom, Dr. Ian Hood, the medical examiner, released the official cause of death for Sarah Townsend on Tuesday.
A statement Tuesday from spokesman Joel Bewley from the Burlington County prosecutor’s office said, “The toxicology tests revealed that Sarah had significant levels of cocaine in her system at the time of her death.”
He also said, “Sarah also left a suicide note in her car. Dr. Hood has determined that the manner of Sarah’s death was suicide. Out of respect for Sarah and her family, this is the extent of the information that will be released concerning Sarah’s death. Our office will not be providing any further information or comment, and we consider this matter closed.”
Sarah’s body was found in Sherman’s Pond on May 13 by the New Jersey State Police Canine Unit.
The teenager was reported missing May 9. She had been last seen by her parents at 7 a.m. when she was leaving for school.
Her car was found later — still running with the driver’s door open and her purse and cell phone inside — by her boyfriend, Matt Welsh, at 10 a.m. at Green Acres Park near Sherman’s Pond.
A large search ensued with full-day searches May 9 and 10 turning up no evidence. The search was called off May 12, but police decided to try again without volunteers.
During the initial search, more than 100 people, along with tracking dogs, helped. A helicopter from the New Jersey State Police also was used to do an overhead search of the large area.
Police at the time confirmed they were worried Sarah might have harmed herself and that a note was found in her vehicle, but they would not comment on its contents.
The autopsy determined Sarah’s death was caused by drowning. There were no signs of trauma to her body and no indications foul play contributed to her death, according to Dr. Hood.
Sarah was a senior at Allentown High School where her father, Roy, works.
