A Manheim Central High School senior found dead in a Lititz apartment on Sunday probably died from an illegal drug overdose, officials said today.

Michelle J. DeHart, 17, of Silverwood Drive, Lititz, was pronounced dead after rescue personnel were summoned to a home in the first block of Front Street.

This morning, Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman said Lititz Borough Police Detective John Schofield is investigating the circumstances surrounding the teenager's death.

"Because the investigation is ongoing, I cannot comment in detail but an autopsy has taken place and we do believe at this point that she died as a result of an overdose of illegal drugs," Stedman said.

He added that investigators must wait for toxicology test "results to absolutely confirm this as the cause of death."

"Should this be the case, then it is yet another young life senselessly ended as a direct result of the use of illegal drugs," Stedman said.

"We hope this causes anyone who is considering using illegal drugs to stop and get the help you need before you end up in jail or dead. "

The district attorney added that the members of "this office and all of law enforcement in this county is dedicated to fighting those who choose to deal drugs wherever and whenever they do so and to whoever they sell."

"It is also a sobering reminder that drug cases are anything but a 'victimless crime,'" Stedman said.

According to newspaper obituary information, the teenager is survived by her parents, Jeffrey C. and Doris Ebersole DeHart, of Lititz. They live in Penn Township.

In addition, DeHart is survived by a sister, Jennifer L. DeHart, of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., paternal grandparents and a maternal grandfather.

A memorial service for DeHart's family and friends has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday at the Lititz Church of the Brethren, 300 W. Orange St., Lititz.

"Our deepest condolences go out to the DeHart family for the tragic loss of their daughter and loved one," Stedman said.

According to the obituary, the Manheim Central senior was attending classes half days and anticipating working for a local bank.

An athlete, DeHart played basketball for Manheim Central and played rugby for the Warwick Swarm Team.

Police said shortly before 10 a.m. on Sunday, county emergency dispatchers received a report of an unconscious person inside the second floor apartment.

Officers from Lititz Borough and Warwick Township also responded to the scene.

A short time later, Kelly Lingg, a deputy county coroner, was dispatched to the home and pronounced the girl dead.

Stedman said police have talked with a number of witnesses, as well as DeHart's friends and family.

"We appreciate the cooperation we have received from those who have assisted in helping us reconstruct the events which resulted in her death," Stedman said.

Police did not say who leased the apartment, who was in the apartment at the time or why they believed DeHart's death was an overdose.

Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni said Wednesday the girl's autopsy did not reveal an obvious cause or manner of death. Diamantoni said he was waiting on toxicology test results.

Those tests determine what, if any, drugs or alcohol, are in a person's system when they died. The results are expected in two to three weeks, the coroner said.

"We are waiting on toxicology to provide additional information to make an accurate determination of cause of death," Diamantoni said.


Staff writer Janet Kelley can be reached at jkelley@LNPnews.com or 481-6026. blog comments powered by Disqus