Community Rattled, Hunt For Suspects Continues After Body Found In Pond

The hunt for suspects in the death of a young teacher continued over the weekend as a community reeled from the unexpected and mysterious incident.

The body of Ryan Stevyn Benjamin, 24, was discovered tied to a cinder block in a creek in East Coventry Township on Memorial Day, the Chester County District Attorney's Office said.

Benjamin was a well-loved member of her community. She had many friends in the West Chester area, the DA's office said. She lived in Pottstown. She had recently graduated from Juniata College with a Bachelor of Science degree. She studied Elementary and Early Childhood Education. And she was employed as a pre-K teacher.

From all accounts, she was a bright, kind young woman, with an even brighter future ahead of her.

"She was an outgoing and social woman," DA Tom Hogan said.

Thus far, there are no suspects in custody.

And her death itself remains a mystery.

It's not clear how she actually died, investigators say, because her body showed none of the telltale signs of murder. There were no strangulation marks. She had not suffered blunt force trauma. She did not drown. She was dead before she was ever placed in a pond connected to the popular Pigeon Creek.

Authorities did not say if they had a suspect or suspects in mind. 

Anyone with any information, or anyone who may have had contact with Benjamin over Memorial Day weekend, is asked to contact Chester County Detective Sgt. Tom Goggin immediately at 610-344-6866.

Images courtesy Chester County DA's Office.