French woman dies after snorkeling

A 55 year old woman from Paris, France died after snorkeling with her tour group at Grecian Rocks offshore of Key Largo. Her group was on board the vessel “Dolphin” out of John Pennekamp State Park. Deputies responded to the park at 4:45 p.m. after the incident was reported to the Sheriff’s Office.

The vessel came into the park with the victim, Catherine Gray Molay, on board. Someone was performing CPR on her. She was subsequently transported to Mariner’s Hospital where she was pronounced dead.

The vessel’s captain told Deputy Benjamin Elmore the group was snorkeling in about 15 feet of water when the victim came back to the vessel with no mask on; she said she was short of breath. The crew gave her oxygen, but moments later the victim became unresponsive and they began to perform CPR. They loaded their passengers back on board and headed in to the dock, calling on the radio for assistance.

An autopsy will be done to determine the cause of the victim’s death.