Crime & Safety

Fairfax Woman Accidentally Drowns in Potomac

Police have identified the victim as Cheryl Ann Alston, 66, of Fairfax.

Police believe a Fairfax woman who was recently reported missing accidentally drowned in the Potomac River. 

Cheryl Ann Alston, 66, probably died when she accidentally fell into the water from the dock where she keeps her boat, Prince William County Police said. Alston was last seen in the area near Marina Way in Occoquan Nov. 3 at 7 p.m.

Police do not believe there was any foul play involved. 

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Alston's family reported that she was missing Nov. 5. Prince William and Fairfax County Dive Teams, with help from a U.S. Customs and Boarder Protection Agency helicopter, searched for her on Nov. 6. They searched more extensively Nov. 7 and recovered her body at 1:14 p.m. in the water off Belmont Bay. 


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