Updated: Woman's Body Discovered in Submerged Car Tuesday

Police and fire personnel responded to Echo Bay Marina on Candlewood Lake Road at 7:22 a.m. Tuesday, April 26, for reports of a car submerged in nine feet of water about 25 yards from the boat launch. Upon arrival, police discovered the body of 26-year-old Celeste Tonia, of Teaneck, N.J., inside the vehicle. They had to break a window to bring her ashore.

EMTs on the scene determined Tonia was dead by the time emergency responders arrived.

The first responders “attempted a rescue,” Police Major Jay Purcell said at the scene, however, “There was no rescue to be made.”

While crews worked to remove the vehicle — a 1995 Ford Taurus — from the water, divers continued to search to confirm there were not additional victims; none were found.

The incident is being investigated as an “unusual death,” according to Brookfield police, however there does not appear to be any indication of criminality. Tonia’s body was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Farmington for the autopsy.

At this time, Brookfield police are not aware of any ties to Brookfield that might have brought Tonia to the area and are asking anyone with any information to contact Cpl. Kevin Brooks.

Tonia left a message on her Facebook page early Sunday morning (3:21 a.m.) stating simply, “No excuses, just a simple goodbye.”

The only response, an obviously concerned “what??” was left by someone who Tonia is listed as “In a relationship with.”

Ashford University, a college based in Clinton, Iowa that also offers online courses, confirmed Tuesday that Tonia was currently enrolled in pursuit of a BA in English Language Learner Studies, which deals with linguistics and addressing the specific needs of young students learning English as a second language. She was on track to graduate in 2015.

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