Verona Woman's Death Still Under Investigation

Three days after the sudden death of 41-year-old Kellie Swanstrom at her Linden Avenue home in Verona, officials have yet to determine what happened.

However, authorities say the death remains under investigation.

"The investigation is active and ongoing. We haven't determined the specific cause or manner of death yet, we're waiting for additional information," Essex Prosecutor's Office information officer Katherine Carter said Tuesday.

According to a news release issued by the prosecutor's office Sunday night, Swanstrom was found dead in her basement of the home she lived in with her husband and two young children at approximately 8 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4.

On Saturday morning, Verona Police and Essex County Crime Scene Unit officers had established a crime scene at the home, cordoning off the property with yellow police tape as an officer occasionally exited the home to retrieve items from a crime scene unit van parked outside. A Verona Police officer could be seen standing inside the home at the front door. Neighbors gathered outside at a nearby residence declined to comment.

On Sunday, flowers, cards and lit candles had been placed in a line along the driveway. No official confirmation that someone had died at the home was made until late Sunday, but the news spread rapidly throughout the community all weekend long.

As of Monday night, the crime scene tape had vanished, and the officers gathering evidence had gone. On the public Facebook page of a Verona-based website, people expressed sympathy to Kellie Swanstrom's family.

"I am so sorry for your loss and this whole tragedy.", one man wrote.

"I remember how special your sister was and can't even fathom this devastation to your family. Beyond words.", wrote another woman.