Lakewood woman found dead in snow Sunday morning, authorities say

    Authorities are investigating the death of a woman found face down in the snow Sunday morning in Lakewood. 

    Police found Olivia Benito, 66, of Lakewood unresponsive near a townhouse unit at 525 Davids Court after receiving an emergency call shortly after 7:00 a.m., said Al Della Fave, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office spokesman. 

    Emergency medical personnel pronounced Benito deceased at 7:26 a.m., the spokesman said. 

    Investigators determined that Benito and her neighbor had attended a benefit together at the Lakewood Elks Saturday night. 

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    “According to the neighbor, they left the benefit and first stopped at the neighbor’s house for a short time,” Della Fave said in a release. “The neighbor stated further at 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 townhouse approximately two doors down.”

    The unidentified neighbor discovered Benito’s body when she went outside to clean off her car, Della Fave said, adding that after calling 911 and attempting aid, the woman alerted Benito’s husband, who said he thought his wife had decided to sleep at the neighbor’s house.

    The preliminary investigation revealed no outward signs of trauma or foul play, according to Della Fave.

    The Lakewood Police Department, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Department C.S.I are awaiting the results of an autopsy by the Ocean County Medical Examiner’s Office prior to making a final determination, Della Fave said. 

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