On Friday, August 19, 1983, the bodies of Joan Zwingman and Christine Pilczak were recovered from the Chesapeake Bay by the Coast Guard and transported to the Coast Guard Station on Ferry Road. Pilot Boat operators had notified the Coast Guard of two bodies floating in the water. Investigators were able to discover both victims traveled from New Jersey to Virginia Beach to attend a convention related to their employment. The victims had been seen the night before, August 18, 1983 at 7:00 pm.
Both women were not wearing clothing made for swimming. They had sustained injuries prior to their death. The bodies were transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy. Joan and Christine died from drowning and the case ruled a homicide.
Joan Zwingman was a 26 year old white female who had green eyes and long brown hair. She was 5’ 6’’ tall weighing 141 pounds.
Christine Pilczak was a 26 year old white female who had blue/grey eyes and blonde hair. She was 5’ 4’’ tall weighing 133 pounds.