Lana Stempien
Lana Stempien (1969-August 11, 2005) was an American lawyer, licensed to practice in Michigan and Florida, who drowned under mysterious circumstances. Her boyfriend Charles Rutherford Jr. (born 1970, presumed missing August 11, 2005, declared legally dead August 3, 2006), commonly known as Chuck Rutherford, was also on the boat when Stempien went into the water. He was ruled dead by a court of law in 2006, but his body was never found.
The couple were on a trip to Mackinac Island, Michigan and left in a boat owned by Stempien. Stempien called her father 24 hours after the couple departed to assure him they were all right. They stopped at Presque Isle for gasoline and Stempien made a congenial phone call to her Aunt. The couple then departed onto rough seas. After another boater saw the couple's small boat, he became concerned and called the Coast Guard. They later located the couple's boat, which was found unoccupied with the engine still idling. Stempien's body was found floating by the shore several days later. The case contained several unusual facts. She was found naked and wearing only her jewelry—Stempien's family members commented that Stempien always removed her jewelry before swimming, putting it in the same location on the boat each time.
Courtship
Rutherford and Stempien were both lawyers; in addition, Stempien worked as a model who often appeared at car shows. They shared a home in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. owned by Stempien. Stempien called her father 24 hours after departing, assuring him that the couple were safe. Stempien's father is a retired Coast Guard officer who has stated on several occasions that he informed his daughter of proper boating and open water safety techniques. Her father described her as an avid and experienced boater, saying "t times I said ‘You’re so good with this boat, you ought to join the Coast Guard!"
In a puzzling occurrence, she was found naked and wearing only a watch, a ring, and a necklace.
Stempien's preliminary autopsy report cited her cause of death as "asphyxia by drowning" and ruled her death an accident.
The couple were on a trip to Mackinac Island, Michigan and left in a boat owned by Stempien. Stempien called her father 24 hours after the couple departed to assure him they were all right. They stopped at Presque Isle for gasoline and Stempien made a congenial phone call to her Aunt. The couple then departed onto rough seas. After another boater saw the couple's small boat, he became concerned and called the Coast Guard. They later located the couple's boat, which was found unoccupied with the engine still idling. Stempien's body was found floating by the shore several days later. The case contained several unusual facts. She was found naked and wearing only her jewelry—Stempien's family members commented that Stempien always removed her jewelry before swimming, putting it in the same location on the boat each time.
Courtship
Rutherford and Stempien were both lawyers; in addition, Stempien worked as a model who often appeared at car shows. They shared a home in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan. owned by Stempien. Stempien called her father 24 hours after departing, assuring him that the couple were safe. Stempien's father is a retired Coast Guard officer who has stated on several occasions that he informed his daughter of proper boating and open water safety techniques. Her father described her as an avid and experienced boater, saying "t times I said ‘You’re so good with this boat, you ought to join the Coast Guard!"
In a puzzling occurrence, she was found naked and wearing only a watch, a ring, and a necklace.
Stempien's preliminary autopsy report cited her cause of death as "asphyxia by drowning" and ruled her death an accident.
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