Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Investigative Operations Bureau
- Robbery and Homicide Unit

Vanesa Montejo (Victim - Injured)
DOB: 12/08/1986

Pablo Rivera-Palma (Stepfather)
DOB: 06/29/1974

Rogelio Aldana-Perez (Boyfriend)
DOB: 04/13/1987

Alfredo Guzman (Good Samaritan)
DOB: 11/26/1990

Diego Herrera (Good Samaritan)
DOB: 10/04/1992

What:
Detectives investigate the near drowning of a Clearwater woman on Gandy Beach in St. Petersburg. Detectives say the incident does not appear to be suspicious.

When:
The incident occurred at about 5:52 p.m. on Saturday, August, 10, 2019.

Where:
The incident occurred on Gandy Beach in unincorporated St. Petersburg.

Why/How:
Detectives investigate the near drowning of a Clearwater woman on Gandy Beach in St. Petersburg.

On August 10, 2019 at about 5:52 p.m., deputies responded to Gandy Beach in unincorporated St. Petersburg, for a report of a possible drowning.

According to detectives, 32-year-old Vanesa Montejo and her boyfriend, 32-year-old Rogelio Aldana-Perez, were with family on shore at Gandy Beach, when they decided to walk away from the shore and into the water.

Detectives say Montejo continued to go further away from the shore and then began to struggle. Aldana-Perez called out to Montejo’s father, 45-year-old Pablo Rivera-Palma, and they pulled Montejo back to shore with the help of Good Samaritan, 28-year-old Alfredo Guzman.

A second Good Samaritan, 26-year-old Diego Herrera, performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) until paramedics arrived.

Paramedics transported Montejo to Tampa General Hospital with serious injuries.

Detectives determined Montejo was intoxicated and did not know how to swim.

Detectives say the incident does not appear to be suspicious.

The investigation continues.