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Woman found dead in pond had alcohol in system

Contributed photo Battle

Photos: Body pulled from pond

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By Lauren Pack, Staff Writer Updated 12:31 PM Friday, October 30, 2009

WEST CHESTER TWP. — Preliminary autopsy tests indicate Patrice Battle, the mother whose body was found Monday in a pond near Plum Tree Drive, had alcohol in her system at the time of death, according to Butler County Coroner Dr. Richard Burkhardt.

“She tested positive,” Burkhardt said. The office is awaiting the results of more extensive toxicology tests to determine the level of alcohol in her blood system. Those test results may take a couple of weeks, officials said.

Battle, 33, was missing for four days before her body was located. Results of the autopsy performed Monday, Oct. 26, indicate Battle accidentally drowned, Burkhardt said. Battle had no other injuries and was found outside of her silver 1998 Saab in the water.

West Chester Twp. police said a car door was open when the vehicle was found.

A preliminary police investigation indicates Battle’s car went off the right side of Plum Tree Drive, came back onto the road, then went off the left side of the road and into the pond.

The case remains under investigation, according to Sgt. Joe Gutman, West Chester Twp. police public information officer.

Detectives and a dive team located the body just before 5 a.m. Monday. Battle’s silver car was found submerged in the pond a short time later. Police received a call at 11:15 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, about tire tracks leading into the Plum Tree Drive pond.

Battle told her 14-year-old daughter she was going to the grocery store around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night, Oct. 21, and then went to an acquaintance’s house in the Trails of West Chester Apartment Complex, according to Battle’s friends.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2168 or lpack@coxohio.com.

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