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Westchester Woman Found Dead In Panama May Have Been Strangled
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Feb 8, 2017
Modified Feb 8, 2017
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By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Feb 8, 2017
Modified Feb 8, 2017
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The 23-year-old Westchester woman and Columbia University graduate who was found dead in Panama over the weekend was likely strangled, according to reports.
Catherine Johannet's body was found in the woods near the beach on Bastimentos Island, located off the northern coast of Panama, on Sunday, three days after a hostel she was staying at on a nearby Isla Colon reported her missing. The FBI has joined Panamanian authorities in an investigation, and though no official cause of death has been provided, preliminary autopsy findings reportedly list strangulation as a probable cause. The Journal News reports she was strangled by a beach cover-up she was wearing at the time.
The findings were released by Panama’s Institute of Forensic Medicine and Forensic Sciences of the Public Ministry and reported in Panamanian newspaper La Prensa.
The U.S. Embassy has not confirmed Johannet's cause of death. “Out of respect for the family’s privacy at this difficult time, we have no further public comment,” the embassy said in a statement. “We will continue to work closely with Panamanian government officials and provide all possible assistance to the grieving family.”
Funeral services for Johannet will be held this Sunday at the Scarsdale Congregational Church.
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