By Charles W. Kim, Packet Media Group
LAMBERTVILLE — The Hunterdon County prosecutor’s office has officially closed the case of bartender Sarah Majoras, 39, who died in the icy waters of the Delaware and Raritan Canal in January.
In a statement from County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III on Monday, the death has been officially ruled “a tragic accident.”
”The medical examiner has ruled that the cause of Sarah’s death was drowning and the manner was accidental. The lab results indicate a high level of alcohol content in the blood at the time of Sarah’s death,” the statement read. “Based upon the totality of the circumstances, including her physical condition, the icy cold weather conditions, and the lack of suspicious circumstances, Ms. Majoras’ death is considered to have been a tragic accident”
Ms. Majoras, a bartender at John & Peter’s bar in New Hope, Pennsylvania, was returning home from an evening out with friends at around 2 a.m. Jan. 26, according to police.
Video surveillance footage showed her walking across the free bridge into Lambertville and then making a left turn onto Lambert Lane in the City, heading for the North Union Street apartment she shared with her boyfriend of 12 years, Adam Baker.
She never made it home.
Four days later, and following a massive search by law enforcement and hundreds of volunteers, Ms. Majoras’ body was pulled from the canal.
Between 200-300 people attended a candlelight vigil and memorial service for Ms. Majoras in the parking lot of the Lambertville Station restaurant Feb. 4.
Attendees braved frigid temperatures to remember the “beloved” member of the community and to hold up candles in her memory.
”Someone incredibly special left our community this week,” said Joe Ujj, 44, during the approximately hour-long event to honor his longtime friend. “I loved Sarah; you loved Sarah. I’m sure in her wildest dreams she never would have imagined she could personally be responsible for bringing a whole community together like this.”
The service included 11 of Ms. Majoras’ favorite songs and the opportunity for those participating to share their memories.
”I grew up here. She is probably the bartender that served me the most,” city resident Becky Easton, 32, said, as the music of the memorial vigil played in the background. “I had to come out to pay (her) tribute.”
Ms. Easton said she felt the choice of music was “perfectly appropriate,” and the eclectic mix of songs represented Sarah’s personality.
”You can understand who she was (by) listening to the music,” younger sister Kelly Easton, 21, said. “You feel closer to her.”
Both Eastons said Ms. Majoras always would be remembered for her welcoming nature.
The prosecutor’s office said in the statement that it would not comment any further on the case.

