Chesco Memorial Day Death Of Woman In Pond Unsolved Mystery

CHESTER COUNTY — Memorial Day is the day everyone remembers the brave veterans who served our nation.

For northern Chester County residents, it is also a day to remember when the body of 24-year-old Ryan Stevyn Benjamin was discovered six years ago by a fisherman under a bridge crossing Pigeon Creek .

She was tied to a cinder block near a pipe in a rural road near Parker Ford village in East Coventry Township.

Neighbors still wonder how this tragedy occurred and when, if ever, the case will be solved.

"We would never expect this to happen here," a neighbor said Sunday, shaking her head, looking at the shallow pond covered in debris.

The neighbor said fishermen are rarely seen at the pond, once a popular swimming and fishing holiday destination.

Chester County District Attorney Deborah S. Ryan said Friday that the investigation is active and requested that anyone with information contact the county detectives' office.

At the time of the death, officials said it appeared her body was dumped in the pond, noting there were no signs of drowning.

Officials have not issued a cause of death, noting the investigation is ongoing.

Benjamin, a native of Rochester, N.Y., was 5 feet and 6 inches tall, weighing 130 pounds.

She was living with a friend, Cheryl Cutillo, in neighboring East Vincent Township after landing a teaching job in Chester County. Cutillo was a friend of Benjamin's mother.

Benjamin worked at Warwick Child Care Center Inc. in northern Chester County.

Benjamin graduated in 2013 from Juniata College, Huntington County, with a degree in elementary education and early childhood education.

She taught second grade as a student teacher during the spring semester in 2013 and worked at the campus post office in Juniata.

Anyone with information, contact Chester County detectives' office at 610-334-6866.