Person found dead in New Stanton pond identified as Jeannette woman

Renatta Signorini | Monday, November 13, 2023 1:54 p.m.

Pennsylvania State Police shared images of tattoos on an woman found Nov. 6 in a New Stanton pond. The tattoos were on her chest and on her left arm and upper right arm. She also had a large tattoo of a cat on her left thigh. She was also found to be wearing jewelry to include a belly button post and three necklaces.

A Jeannette woman was publicly identified Monday as the person found in a New Stanton pond last week.

The Westmoreland County Coroner’s Office said Kele Diane Townsend, 34, was found floating in the water off Broadview Road around 12:30 p.m. Nov. 6. The death is not believed to be suspicious, said Coroner Tim Carson.

Townsend’s family was notified by investigators last week, but authorities at the coroner’s office spent more time evaluating to make sure they had the correct identity before releasing it publicly, Carson said.

That included an unsuccessful attempt to get fingerprints and deputy Sean Hribal examining medical records, tattoos on her body, her teeth compared to photographs and jewelry Townsend was wearing at the time. Her cause and manner of death is pending toxicology results.

Carson said it is believed Townsend’s body may have been in the pond for a couple months until it was found. State police are investigating.