Charles Seibert, acting medical examiner, told the assembled guests that Hottenstein died from “hypothermia due to exposure with complicating acute alcohol intoxication.”

Cape May County Prosecutor Robert Taylor held a press conference Thursday, May 14 to give an update on the status of the investigation into Hottenstein’s death.

Tracy Hottenstein

Prev Next Enlarge

CREST HAVEN — Despite having her death ruled as accidental, the county Prosecutor’s Office is still looking for the public’s help in determining what happened to 35-year-old Tracy Hottenstein in the hours before her body was found in Sea Isle City during its popular Polar Bear Plunge weekend.

Cape May County Prosecutor Robert Taylor held a press conference Thursday, May 14 to give an update on the status of the investigation into Hottenstein’s death.

Taylor said Hottenstein’s clothed body, appearing wet from being in the water, was found by a passerby on Sunday morning, Feb. 5, at approximately 7:35 a.m. at the street end on 42nd Place at the city’s marina.

He said a thorough investigation began into the circumstances of Hottenstein’s death by members of his office as well as the Sea Isle City Police Department.

The investigation determined that Hottenstein was last seen exiting the Ocean Drive bar, 3915 Landis Ave., at approximately 2:15 a.m. that morning. Video surveillance of the bar appears to show her walking southbound on Landis Avenue, he added.

Investigators still don’t know what happened between when Hottenstein left the bar and when she was found that morning.

The investigation includes dozens of interviews, sworn statements, review of numerous hours of video recordings from multiple sources, and the review of information obtained from court authorized warrants.

“All known witnesses of the events leading to Ms. Hottenstein’s discovery on the morning of Feb. 15 have been interviewed,” Taylor said. “The last interview occurred during the week of May 4.”

According to Taylor, she was wearing a black long-sleeved top, dark blue jeans, tan Ugg brand boots, a pink plaid hat, and a pink scarf. Her hat and one of the boots was subsequently recovered from the water in the area of the marina. Still missing are Hottenstein’s scarf and one of the boots. Hottenstein’s cell phone, purse and vest were left in the Ocean Drive Bar and Restaurant and retrieved by detectives.

Evidence from the scene indicated that Hottenstein entered the bay water in the vicinity of the marina and subsequently walked in her socks near the area where her body was found.

Police don’t know why Hottenstein was in the vicinity of the marina. Taylor said none of Hottenstein’s acquaintances lived in the area.

According to the Prosecutor, an autopsy was conducted on February 16 by Dr. Margaret Prial, M.D., Forensic Pathologist from the Southern Regional Medical Examiner’s Office. Injuries were documented, which included several fractured ribs as well as abrasions and contusions of the abdomen and upper and lower extremities. The Medical Examiner has indicated that these injuries are consistent with a fall. There is no evidence that Ms. Hottenstein was the victim of a sexual assault.

Charles Seibert, acting medical examiner, told the assembled guests that Hottenstein died from “hypothermia due to exposure with complicating acute alcohol intoxication.” It was below freezing that night with a wind-chill temperature of about 21 degrees and a water temperature near 35 degrees.

He would not divulge her exact blood alcohol content, but confirmed that she was above the legal limit to operate a motor vehicle. The hypothermia and alcohol intoxication also blur the examiner’s ability to determine cause of death, he said.

He also noted it could not be determined what height Hottenstein had fallen from to cause her injuries.

“There were no major internal injuries,” Seibert said.

When asked if the death was suspicious or if there were any persons of interest, Taylor repeated the medical examiner’s report Hottenstein’s death accidental and said “I wouldn’t characterize anyone as a person of interest.”

The Prosecutor’s Office and Sea Isle City Police Department continue to request the public’s assistance to determine Hotenstein’s whereabouts after leaving the Ocean Drive bar.

“We intend to reach out to public on Memorial Day weekend,” Sea Isle Police Chief Thomas D’Intino said. “Our Polar Bear Plunge visitors are usually our summer visitors as well.”

Taylor and D’Intino encourage anyone who saw Hottenstein after 2:15 a.m. on that day to contact the Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit at (609) 465-1135 or Sea Isle City police at (609) 263-4311.