Police outreach in N.J. in Hottenstein death

Cape May County and Sea Isle City investigators will conduct canvases throughout the weekend in the area of Ludlum Bay, where a Conshohocken woman died in February.

Although investigators have ruled the death of 35-year-old Tracy Hottenstein an accident due to hypothermia complicated by "acute alcohol intoxication," some of the circumstances surrounding her death remain mysterious.

Hottenstein left the Ocean Drive Bar & Restaurant, where she had been drinking with friends, around 2:15 a.m. Feb. 15, leaving behind her vest, cell phone, and purse.

Her clothed body was found that morning on a muddy bank at the Sea Isle City Marina. Her body appeared wet, and one of her boots and her hat were found floating in the water. She had suffered injuries, such as three broken ribs, consistent with a fall, and she had not been sexually assaulted.

Teams of detectives will try to piece together Hottenstein's final hours by walking the downtown area from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday and Sunday. They will be searching for anyone with information about Hottenstein's death.

A command vehicle also will be set up at John F. Kennedy Boulevard and Landis Avenue. Anyone with information is being asked to contact the prosecutor's Major Crimes Unit at 609-465-1135 or the Sea Isle City Police at 609-263-4311, or come in person to the command vehicle.       - Troy Graham