St. Louis County police officers from the South County Precinct responded to reports of a flash flood at Bayless Avenue and Interstate 55 on Nov. 5 at approximately 6 a.m.

Due to weather conditions, Bayless Avenue was closed for several hours as first responders worked to manage the situation. As the water receded, a business owner alerted officers that an SUV had been submerged in the water.

Lemay Fire Protection District personnel were able to access the SUV and found a deceased adult female, now identified as Nancy Parisotto, 63, of the 9800 block of Affton Place, located inside. Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim drove her car into the water earlier in the morning during the height of the flash flood.

Her cause of death is currently unknown, though it is being investigated as a suspected drowning due to the flood waters. An official cause and manner of death will be issued in approximately six to eight weeks, once all forensic testing results are available.

This investigation is ongoing. More information will be disseminated once it is available.

Anyone with information should contact investigators at the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210. To remain anonymous or potentially receive a reward, please contact CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).