Pennsylvania Councilwoman’s Death “Accidental”

Investigators say they believe the death of a Pennsylvania councilwoman whose body was found in Susquehanna County was accidental.

Authorities say a person out for a walk discovered the body of 38-year-old Kristy Marie Ryczak of Luzerne County on a rail bed in Great Bend township.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, Ryczak's body was found at the bottom of a steep cliff.

The person who made the discovery notified police around 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Around the same time, the woman's family reported she was missing.

Investigators determined Ryczak likely had fallen down the cliff the previous night.

Police say after an autopsy was conducted on Monday, the manner of death was ruled accidental.

Ryczak was a member of the Mayfield borough council. According to a published obituary, she was employed as a program manager at a nonprofit organization in Scranton.

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