Daughter’s Matching Tattoo with Mom Helped Police Identify Woman Killed in Florida Crash

Mar. 15, 2025

Caitlynn Heron (right) with mom Blanche Pastore.Photo:Blanche Pastore/GoFundMe

Blanche Pastore/GoFundMe

A 23-year-old woman was killed in a single-vehicle crash in Florida on Wednesday, Oct. 2, and her matching tattoo with her mom enabled her body to be identified, authorities said.

In a news release, theBroward Sheriff’s Office(BSO) said the incident occurred in Cooper City around 6 a.m. local time.

Officials initially received a report of a vehicle in a canal and now believe driver Caitlynn Heron veered off the road “for reasons unknown” and then “struck a concrete wall and became airborne [in the vehicle] before landing” in the water, the news release states.

Two people were in the vehicle at the time of the incident — Heron, 23, and a male passenger, according to authorities.

The passenger, reportedly described as Heron’s boyfriend, was able to free himself from the vehicle and was taken to a local hospital for injuries that appeared not to be life-threatening.

Heron was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriff’s office said.

The BSO is continuing to investigate the crash, authorities added.

“She had so many plans for the future,” Pastore said, the outlet reported.

“She was going to start 2025 off great. She was saving money, paying for her car and being responsible … I just pray to God, He’s got his arms around her right now.”

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Of the tattoos, Pastore said, according to stationWFOR, that she and her daughter had previously delayed in getting them done but added: “I’m so glad that we finally did it a couple of months ago because I have something, something that’s on me.”

Carey Codd. a spokesperson for the BSO, described the crash — for which the jaws of life were used to remove Heron’s body from the vehicle — as “tragic” and “heartbreaking”

Codd said that authorities are talking to witnesses and trying to find video that can explain what led the car to go into the waterway, WSVN reported.

“Our hearts go out to the family of the young woman who died here today [Oct. 2] and to all those who know and care about her,” Codd said.

Frank Heron, Caitlynn’s dad, shared his grief as well. “I lost my daughter, my little mouse. The feelings I can’t even bring to words," he said, according to stationWPLG. “I’ll never be the same.”

source: people.com