87-Year-Old Woman Dies in Car Found Underwater in Port Jeff

An 87-year old Port Jefferson Station woman was found dead in a car that had been submerged in the water off the on West Broadway in Port Jefferson Thursday morning.

After a 911 caller tipped off police at 6:43 a.m. that a car was in Port Jefferson Harbor with only the roof visible, police discovered Anne Murray, 87, of Brook Lane inside. She was the only occupant of the white Toyota Corolla.

Murray was transported to in Port Jefferson where she was pronounced dead.

Police say that they do not know yet how the car got into the water. Suffolk County homicide detectives are investigating the death.

An assistant chief with the Port Jefferson Fire Department arrived on the scene moments after the 911 call. He verified that the car had traveled down the boat ramp and was completely submerged underwater about 100 feet north of the ramp, according to a statement release by the fire department.

Newsday reported that Murray's family said she was suffering from macular degeneration, an eye disease that causes deteriorating vision.

Murray had also been an active member of the community, volunteering for out of as a driver, according to an email sent to Patch by a fellow volunteer at the non-profit. She started delivering meals there in 1986.

Officials on the scene said that the car, located on the ramp at the boat launch, was spotted because the tide had gone out. By 9 a.m., the entire car was out of the water. The front windshield had visible holes and the back windshield had been knocked completely out.

and Port Jefferson Ambulance were on scene along with the Suffolk County Police Emergency Services and the Police Marine Bureau. Mount Sinai and Rocky Point Fire Departments also reported to the scene. According to a report, the Port Jefferson Fire Department called off the search for other survivors at around 7:56 a.m.

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