Police: Body found in Wilmington pond believed to be that of missing Sabina woman

WILMINGTON, Ohio - Police continue their search Thursday for a body in a Wilmington pond they say they believe is that of a missing 32-year-old Sabina woman.

Officials found a body in a pond and Wilmington Police Department spokesperson Mary Kay Vance said Wednesday they believe it may be that of missing Casey Pitzer, 32. Casey’s family said her body was found Tuesday, but officials say they can’t confirm it is Casey.

“Until we actually pull the body out of water, we, the police department, can not officially say it’s her,” Vance said.

Casey, the mother of two boys, went missing early Sunday morning after leaving Uncle Louie's Bar on U.S. 22. According to police reports, Casey was last seen exiting a vehicle on State Route 73 in Wilmington and running toward an open field with a retention pond on it.

The search resumed at the pond Wednesday morning, but officials were not able to remove the body by the end of the day Wednesday. The search will continue at the pond Thursday morning.

Casey's dad, Greg Pitzer said he believes his daughter is in the pond. Greg said that officials found a body in the pond with sonar and dragged the pond Tuesday and recovered hair, which they couldn't confirm to be Casey's.

"There is a body in the pond, but they are having trouble because it is so deep," said Greg.

Several factors are making the removal of the body difficult, Vance said. The pond, which is about 35 feet deep and has a spring, which is creating motion in the body of water. Diving teams are battling cold temperatures and an uneven pond floor, which make the search challenging, Vance added. Teams worked to remove the body until about 1 a.m. Wednesday and again until early Thursday morning.

Vance said the police department has spoken with county engineers about draining the pond, but the large amount of water makes it difficult.

Greg said he believes Casey was out with some friends and was intoxicated, which led to her death in the pond.

Casey's family said they believe what happened was a tragic accident and that no foul play was involved. Greg said his daughter planned to celebrate one of her two sons' birthday on Sunday.

"I have so many unanswered questions," Greg said. "You never expect as a parent to bury your children, especially one who left behind two little children."

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