Authorities ID Woman Found in Chester County Pond

Photos Courtesy Chester County District Attorney’s Office

Officials have identified a woman found dead Monday tied to a cinderblock in a Chester County Pond as a 24-year-old pre-kindergarten teacher.

Ryan Stevyn Benjamin of Pottstown was found shortly before noon by a local resident in a section of Pigeon Creek – a small swimming hole just off Zieber Road in East Coventry Township.

Benjamin was identified using tattoos, jewelry and other physical features. Prosecutors believe she was dead before she was thrown into the pond. There are no indications that she drowned and no signs of strangulation, gunshot wounds or blunt force trauma. 

Benjamin was a graduate of Juniata College and was certified and employed as a pre-K teacher, the Pottstown Mercury reports. Investigators said nearby residents had been swimming in area the afternoon prior.

“This is a very active investigation,” Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan said in a press release, according to the Mercury. “The victim was an outgoing and sociable young woman, with many friends in the West Chester area. Anybody who had contact with her over the Memorial Day weekend should contact the police immediately.”

Hogan said the police are closing in on a suspect, according to the Mercury.

Chester County Detectives and the East Coventry Police Department are investigating the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact Chester County Detective Sgt. Tom Goggin at 610-344-6866.

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