Mystery has shrouded the death of Tracy Hottenstein, but Thursday officials shed some light on how she died.
A fisherman found the lifeless body of the 35-year old pharmaceutical rep from Conshohocken floating in waters of the Sea Isle City Marina on February 15.
Hottenstein, 35, died of hypothermia due to exposure complicating acute alcohol intoxication, Cape May County officials said Thursday. The temperature that night was below freezing and the wind chill was 21 degrees.
Officials believe the woman was walking in her socks by the marina when she slipped and fell into the water.
"She had several broken ribs on her left side," Cape May County medical examiner Charles Seibert said. "She also had several abrasions on her arms as well as on her…front portions of her legs and these are all consistent with falling."
While her death was ruled accidental, authorities are still trying to fill in the details of what happened that night.
Surveillance cameras captured Hottenstein leaving the Ocean Drive bar with friends around 2:15 a.m. the night she died.
Police have interviewed dozens of witnesses, but there are still many questions. They are hoping someone will come forward with more information.
