Community Corner

Body in Canal ID'd as Martha Runyon, Death Ruled a Suicide

The Lawrence Township resident was reported missing early Monday morning.

The body of a woman found in the D&R Canal on Thursday morning has been positively identified as that of Martha Runyon, the 60-year-old Lawrenceville woman who was reported missing on Monday. 

Runyon's death has been ruled a suicide by drowning, Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Doris Galuchie said Thursday afternoon. 

The body was discovered around 9:20 a.m., about 300 yards south of Litho Road, near the border of Hamilton. 

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"A woman was walking her dog on the Canal path and saw a body, or what she believed to be a body, in the Canal," Galuchie said. 

Investigators believe Runyon had been in the canal since Monday. 

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According to police, Runyon was discovered missing from her home in the first block of Rosetree Lane at approximately 6:50 a.m. on Monday It appeared that she left home on foot without her purse or cell phone.

Runyan was a system analyst in the Division of Culture and Heritage and had been employed by the county since 2004, according to Michael Boonin, Mercer County Deputy Director of Communications.

"We are aware that a body  recovered today is that of our friend and colleague Martha Runyon," Mercer County Executive Brian Hughes said. "This is devastating news and we’re heartbroken. Martha was an important part of the Mercer County family for the past nine years. Right now our thoughts and prayers are with Martha's family during this difficult time."


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