# Real Life Mystery In My Old Hometown Area: Strange Case Of Tanya Shannon

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-life-mystery-in-my-old-hometown-area-strange-case-of-tanya-shannon/563681>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [December 10, 2010, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-life-mystery-in-my-old-hometown-area-strange-case-of-tanya-shannon/563681 "2010-12-10T17:49:31Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 4

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**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\
**Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-life-mystery-in-my-old-hometown-area-strange-case-of-tanya-shannon/563681/61 "2011-01-07T19:52:04Z")

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> [@Crafter\_Man](#):
>
> This implies she was very confused/disoriented, either from the crash or (perhaps) alcohol in her system.

That’s pretty much the default assumption.

Considering the weather, location, and potential time-lapse between wreck and the wreck being found, it’s not entirely clear she’d have survived even if she stayed with the car. Better chance, for sure, but not a certainty. Not a whole lot of good choices, though she took the more risky one. At least she died trying.

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**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\
**Post date:** [January 7, 2011, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-life-mystery-in-my-old-hometown-area-strange-case-of-tanya-shannon/563681/62 "2011-01-07T20:22:33Z")

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> [@Ferret\_Herder](#):
>
> Just an expected follow-up: [she died of exposure to the cold](http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2011/01/autopsy-woman-found-in-field-died-from-exposure.html). No evidence of trauma. Toxicology results are still pending.
> 
> Side note: She made it three-quarters of a mile from the crash while barefoot and wearing only a hoodie and dress. I’m surprised that considering the cold and snow, she made it that far.

**Ferret Herder** , thanks for the update!  
Sad end to an odd story, but as others have mentioned, quite amazing she made it that far, in that weather, dressed as she was.

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