D.A. not releasing teacher’s cause of death
Investigation continues after woman’s body was found in Chester County pond
Chester County authorities stated Thursday they have a cause of death for a woman whose body was found dumped in a pond on Memorial Day.
The Chester County District Attorney’s Office told The Mercury that although investigators have determined a cause of death for Ryan Stevyn Benjamin, 24, of Porters Mill Road, whose body was found tied to a cinder block in an East Coventry pond, they cannot disclose it for fear of jeopardizing the investigation.
“We have a cause of death but are not at liberty to disclose it due to the ongoing and active investigation,” said Michael Noone, first assistant district attorney for Chester County. Unfortunately there’s nothing else I can tell you.”
The D.A.’s office made the statement after meeting with a forensic pathologist about the case.
When Benjamin’s body was discovered just off Zeiber Road three months ago, authorities said she had shown no signs of gunshot wounds, blunt force trauma or strangulation and that no water was found in her lungs, indicating that she did not drown.
Benjamin was identified through unique physical descriptors such as her tattoos, jewelry and physical features not long after she was discovered. Her identification was later confirmed through DNA and dental records.
According to previous releases from the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, Benjamin received her undergraduate degree from Juniata College, with a bachelor of science in elementary and early childhood education. She was a certified teacher and was employed as a pre-kindergarten teacher at Warwick Childcare Center’s South Coventry campus where her coworkers said she made a positive impact on the lives of children in her short time there.
While the investigation continues, the Chester County District Attorney’s Office said it does not anticipate any updates to be made public in the near future.