The Montour County Coroner’s Office has formally identified the woman found dead in a Valley Township pond as 73-year-old Darlene K. Swope of Valley Township, Pennsylvania.
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Discovery of the Scene
The incident occurred on the morning of Sunday, May 17, 2026, drawing a swift multi-agency response to a rural property outside of Danville:
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The Initial Call: Just after 10:00 AM on Sunday, an individual spotted what appeared to be a body floating in a private pond located along Roberts Lane in Valley Township.
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The Recovery: Emergency dispatchers immediately deployed the Pennsylvania State Police, the Montour County Coroner, and regional fire department rescue crews to the scene. Firefighters successfully recovered Swope from the water, noting that she was partially clothed at the time of discovery.
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Active Investigation
Following the recovery, the Montour County Coroner’s Office confirmed Swope’s identity and scheduled an autopsy to determine both the exact cause and manner of death.
Pennsylvania State Police troopers and the coroner’s office are leading the ongoing investigation to piece together the circumstances surrounding how Swope entered the water. Because this is an active and developing case, authorities have asked anyone with information regarding her movements in the days leading up to May 17 to contact the Pennsylvania State Police.
