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Westchester Woman Found Dead Near Beach In Panama
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Feb 7, 2017
Modified Feb 7, 2017
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By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Feb 7, 2017
Modified Feb 7, 2017
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A 23-year-old Edgemont native and graduate of Columbia University was found dead in a popular tourist spot in Panama on Sunday.
Local police found Catherine Johannet's body in the woods near the beach on Bastimentos Island, located off the northern coast of Panama. She had been staying at a hostel on nearby Colon Island and had planned to visit Bastimentos Island on a day trip—when she didn't return on Thursday, the hostel reported her missing. Police are investigating her death, but have not yet determined whether she was the victim of foul play.
"Multiple senior members of the Panamanian government have been working closely, throughout the weekend, along with the Ambassador, U.S. consular officials, and the FBI," Adrienne Bory, press attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Panama, said in a statement. "We express our regret to the family of Ms. Johannet. We will continue to work closely with Panamanian government officials and provide all possible assistance to the grieving family."
Johannet graduated from Edgemont High School in 2011 and Columbia University in 2015. Her sister, Laura Johannet, posted a message to Facebook thanking friends for their support. "My family is thinking of all our beautiful memories with our laughing, adventurous, warm little girl," she wrote. "She was always there to listen to you and just enjoy life with her loved ones."
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