[UPDATED 3:15 PM] A woman reportedly froze to death after falling near her Lakewood home early this morning, officials tell TLS.
Olivia Benito, 66, of Lakewood, went with a neighbor to a benefit last night, and then stopped off at the neighbor’s house for a short time, the Prosecutor’s Office said this afternoon.
“The neighbor stated further that Benito, who had consumed a number of alcoholic beverages during the course of the night, departed her townhouse around Midnight to walk home to her townhome approximately two doors down,” Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Spokesman Della Fave said.
This morning, the neighbor went out to clean her car, when she made the discovery.
“This morning at approximately 7:04 am, the neighbor went out to clean off her car and found the decedent face down in the snow,” Della Fave said. “She attempted aid, dialed 911 and alerted the victim’s husband. The husband was under the assumption that his wife had decided to sleep at the neighbor’s home.”
Benito was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:26 a.m.
The preliminary investigation found no outward signs of trauma or foul play at this time. The Lakewood Police Department, OCPO and OC Sheriff’s CSI await the results of an autopsy by the OC Medical Examiner’s Office before making a final determination in the investigation.
[TLS-27/TLS-08]
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So so sad what’s her name? Any Levaya details?
He first noticed at 7 AM? Interesting.
That poor woman and her family. May she rest in peace! May her family find peace in knowing her soul is at rest. 🙁
Very sad.
This is tragic. My prayers go out to the family.
RIP
This is such a tragedy! May her soul be at peace!
so sad. This is such a tragedy! May her soul rest at peace!
may we all stay safe & visible in these storms
So terribly sad and tragic.
My prayers go out to the family for this horrific tragedy.
So tragic! Prayers to family
Hey Ashrei Haam, nowhere in the article does it say that the husband was unaware that his wife slept over her friends house. Nor does it say what time she left the friends house- only “early morning”. Your life must be pretty miserable for you to be that cynical. Until you know something as fact, you should not publicly accuse or allude to someone (who is most likely mourning the loss of his loved one) being involved in her death. Shame on you.
Agree with Elizabeth.
I am sorry for your lost may my best wishes of te family
Of course we agree with Elizabeth. Although I don’t think it was meant to accuse, it was still a thoughtless comment.
This not only makes me sad but mad!! Number one the woman’s whose house she left (two doors down from her own) Should have seen her home!! ESPECIALLY since she was drinking. Second, Her husband ASSUMED she slept at the neighbors house!! Seriously?? If MY Spouse was out in a blizzard, drinking, and didn’t come home by a certain time I would be trying to find out where he was !! People really need to start caring about other people. What a shame!! This was totally preventable!! Poor woman!!
Actually the article was changed.. Ashrei haam did quote the article correctly.. Elizabeth commented after it was updated.
Lisa is 100% right. Its hard to believe no one checked up on her for so many hours. Very sad.
if she had consumed a couple of drinks like the article states, why didn’t any one walked home with her? even if she did live two houses down?
Such a shame…Someone could of least watched her from their doorway
Just to clear things for everyone who finds this odd this woman was frequently at the neighbors very late. Sometimes past midnight. It was not uncommon for her husband to go to bed and she still be at her neighbors. A family member of mine was one of their neighbors until recently. The phone call we got today was horrible and what is odd for some is not for others. May she RIP.
To Elizabeth:
The article I read said that he first noticed at 7 AM. I found that strange. Nowhere did I allude or insinuate that he was involved in her death, I have no way of knowing that. Just seems that there is more to the story. What that is, I don’t know. I think you read more into what I wrote than I actually meant.
“Ashrei” what exactly do you insinuate when “there is more to the story”?
When we comment, we should all keep in mind a family is in mourning, and strive to avoid comments that add to their pain. In any tragedy, there are things that could have been done differently, perhaps better. But we are human, we do the best we can for those we love, and when tragedy happens, those around us should comfort us, or remain silent,not accuse us.