Woman Drowns Near Johns Pass

Pinellas County Sheriff’s deputies are investigating a drowning that occurred Wednesday afternoon near Johns Pass in Madeira Beach.

Kathleen Marie Shortill, 69, of Venice was in the water at the beach around 2:48 p.m. when her husband noticed she wasn’t responsive, an email to media from the agency stated.

Bystanders assisted the man in removing Shortill from the water, began CPR and called 911. When EMS arrived, paramedics took her to a local hospital where she was later pronounced dead. The call to 911 came in from 12935 Gulf Lane in Madeira Beach.

The drowning appears accidental, deputies say. It is unclear at this time if it may have been health related.