PORTSMOUTH, N.H. – Police say they have not determined for sure the cause of death for a Portsmouth woman found in waters near Kittery, but do not believe the public needs to be worried.

Debra “Debbie” Dockham, 57, was pronounced dead at Portsmouth Regional Hospital after she was pulled from the Piscataqua River near the Kittery shore, police said.

Police say Dockham was a regular presence in downtown Portsmouth and are hoping her friends and people she would have had contact with can shed light on where she was and what she did Thursday, said Capt. Corey MacDonald.

The Coast Guard was notified Thursday at 6:30 p.m. of what appeared to be a wet suit floating in the water, but what turned out to be a woman dressed in pink.

The body was brought to shore in Kittery and Maine State Police, Kittery police and Portsmouth police investigated the case initially. They determined the woman was from Portsmouth and that department has now taken the lead in the investigation.

Authorities are waiting for the New Hampshire medical examiner to determine a cause of death.


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