Authorities say body found in public pool went undetected for days

[Grey Ghost]

Swimmers and lifeguards didn't even notice the body.

Authorities say the body of a woman who died in a Massachusetts public pool went undetected for days as swimmers continued to use the pool before the victim was found floating.

The body of Marie Joseph, 36, was discovered by teenagers Tuesday evening in the Vietnam Veterans Swimming Pool in Fall River, Massachusetts, according to Bristol County district attorney's spokesman Gregg Miliote.

Joseph had gone to the pool on Sunday with a 9-year-old neighbor and his family. She collided with the boy while the pair careened down a pool slide, Miliote said.

After the collision, the boy surfaced but the woman did not, he said.

It was not clear Thursday what happened after the collision or whether the boy and his family sought Joseph's whereabouts when they left the pool.

Authorities continued to investigate the cause of death Thursday.

The pool -- which is 12 feet deep at its deepest --- was described as "cloudy" by a health inspector who examined the pool Tuesday, according to the mayor of Fall River, William Flanagan.

A decomposing body can take a couple of days before it becomes buoyant, Miliote added.

"It is in many respects disturbing and unreal," said Massachusetts Conservation and recreation Commissioner Ed Lambert.

The lifeguards and managers of the swimming pool, along with the three health inspectors involved, have been placed on administrative leave, authorities said.

Twenty-four state pools have also been closed pending further investigation, according to Lambert.

Authorities say the swimmers who used the pool during the two days are not considered to be at risk for health problems.

Meanwhile, a host of Massachusetts state and municipal agencies are conducting independent investigations over the incident.

Authorities say body found in public pool went undetected for days - CNN.com

[Blademaker]

Authorities say the swimmers who used the pool during the two days are not considered to be at risk for health problems.

Maybe not, but I'd bet those fockers are going through soap like a mofo.

[Nemesis]

That pool is in Cambridge. There's a lot of really bright people in Cambridge. That woman's body was not floating around in the pool for 2 days.

[ZipZap]

Be what it may, if can't see the bottom of the pool, I think I'm gonna pass.

[Barn Babe]

That's just gross.

[BADRACR1]

Cloudy?! How could you not see a body? Must be REAL damn cloudy!

[Scissors]

12' is pretty deep for a pool. While any level of cloudiness would keep me from using the pool, it wouldn't take much to conceal a body. Particularly if the pool is positioned so that the bottom of the deep end gets near-constant shade.

[Fastguy]

Originally Posted by Drew M

That pool is in Cambridge. There's a lot of really bright people in Cambridge. That woman's body was not floating around in the pool for 2 days.

Actually, its in Fall River. I can't believe the water was not only that nasty, but inspectors were there testing the water during the time she was missing and said it was fine.

[onedef92]

Damn. Talk about swimming in dirty waters.

[Yerf Dog]

Joseph had gone to the pool on Sunday with a 9-year-old neighbor and his family.

Nobody missed her when they left the pool?

And not for 'days later'?