PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. (July 21, 2008)—A 29-year-old Waldorf woman drowned in the Patuxent River near Prince Frederick on Sunday. Police say the body of Laurie Ann Bendlin, of Waldorf, was located in the water around 4:00 p.m. Medical personnel transported her to Calvert Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Police say Bendlin was visiting the beach with her dog and her boyfriend, Michael Buckler, age 56, also of Waldorf. Buckler told police that he last observed Bendlin swimming near her dog approximately 40 feet off shore. He stated that a short time later he could not find Bendlin, but the dog had returned to shore.
The Calvert County Rescue Dive Team, the Benedict Rescue Squad, and members of the Department of Natural Resources responded to the scene to assist in the search for Bendlin.
Bendlin is the fourth person to drown in southern Maryland waters within the last week. Two Virginia men and an Indian Head man drowned in the Potomac River near Charles County in two separate boating accidents.
RELATED INFORMATION:
Three Perish In Potomac River in Two Separate Incidents, July 17, 2008
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