Press Releases
04/28/2025
DEEP EnCon Police Make Arrest in Fatal May 2024 Candlewood Lake Boating Incident
(HARTFORD)—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced today that DEEP’s Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police arrested Robert McDonald, 23, of Flushing, New York, for a fatal boating incident that took place on Candlewood Lake on May 29th, 2024.
On that day, officers received a report of an unresponsive female at Brookfield Grove on Candlewood Lake in the Town of Brookfield. The initial complaint indicated that the unresponsive female was pulled out of the water and that she was a passenger on a vessel that was tied to a dock. It was later determined that she had injuries consistent with a propeller strike. The female, identified as Roselyn Blanco, 20, of Danbury, later died from her injuries at the hospital.
After an extensive investigation, which included numerous interviews, the preparation and execution of numerous search warrants, collection of forensic evidence, and reconstruction of the incident, investigators from the EnCon Police Investigations Unit were able to develop probable cause to proceed with the arrest in this case.
The arrest warrant charged McDonald with Reckless Endangerment in the Second Degree and Reckless Operation of a Vessel in the Second Degree. On April 27th McDonald was processed on these charges and released on a $10,000 bond. McDonald is scheduled to appear in Danbury Court on May 15th.
DEEP thanks the Office of the State’s Attorney Danbury Judicial District, the Brookfield Police Department, and the Brookfield Volunteer Fire Company for their assistance in this investigation. As a reminder, all persons are innocent until proven guilty.
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Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110