The Montour County Coroner’s Office has formally identified the woman found dead in a Valley Township pond earlier this week as 73-year-old Darlene K. Swope of Danville, Pennsylvania.
WNEP
Discovery of the Scene
The incident began on the morning of Sunday, May 17, 2026, drawing a swift multi-agency response to a rural property outside of Danville:
The Initial Call: Just after 10:00 AM, a local resident spotted what appeared to be a body floating in a private pond located along Roberts Lane in Valley Township.
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.
Active Investigation
Following the recovery, Montour County Coroner Scott Lynn confirmed her identity and noted that an autopsy has been scheduled to determine both the exact cause and manner of death.
Family Notification and Outreach: The Coroner’s Office is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding how Swope entered the water. Because she had been living relatively isolated, the Montour County Coroner’s Office has issued an open public request seeking help to locate any immediate or extended family members of Darlene Swope.
Pennsylvania State Police troopers are leading the ongoing investigation. Authorities have asked anyone who may have seen Swope in the days leading up to May 17, or anyone who possesses information regarding her relatives, to contact the State Police Milton Barracks or the Montour County Coroner’s Office immediately.
