Cause of death released for Venice woman found submerged in car after being reported missing – WWSB
Scoop Publisher Francesco Abbruzzino
VPD
***Findings of Tracey Rieker Death Investigation***
Tracey Rieker was discovered missing the morning of September 30, 2020 when her husband awoke and discovered she and her vehicle were gone from the family home, leaving behind her purse and cell phone. Despite significant efforts focused on finding Tracey alive and well, ultimately specially trained cadaver dogs guided investigators to a lake near Tracey’s home, where on October 10, 2020 divers located Tracey deceased inside her submerged vehicle.
A Venice PD Traffic Homicide Investigator (THI) was assigned to assist in the investigation, as required by policy anytime a motor vehicle crash involves a fatality. The THI found no evidence of criminal activity or malfunction that resulted in the vehicle entering the water.
The District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office conducted an autopsy and determined the cause of death was drowning. There was no evidence of trauma or impairment.
The investigation revealed that Mrs. Rieker was suffering from mental illness that she refused to treat as recommended by doctors. Prior to her death she displayed erratic behavior that further brought her psychological health into question.
Investigators have found no evidence of foul play. All individuals close to Tracey have been cooperative and forthright with investigators. We have established that she acted alone in her disappearance and drove her vehicle into the body of water that ultimately led to her death. At this time, it is undetermined if Tracey drove into the lake as a conscious deliberate act or if it was an unintentional consequence of her altered mental state. For this reason the Medical Examiner has classified the Manner of Death as Undetermined.
The investigation into the Tracey Rieker’s death is concluded. Our sympathy goes to the family and friends of Tracey as they mourn her loss.
