Pearland woman found dead in Kemah sand pit

A Pearland woman apparently drowned this week in a sand pit behind her friend's house in Kemah, police say.

Kemah police discovered the body of Randee Michelle McCullough-Martin, 27, shortly before noon Thursday behind a residence at 1111 S. Kemah Dr., says Chief of Police Bill Kerber. McCullough-Martin had been reported missing earlier, Kerber says.

"We surmise she fell into the pond and drowned," Kerber says. "There are a number of sand pits that have filled up with water that are anywhere from waist-deep to 45, 50, 60 feet deep. The residence, the backyard backs up to one of those that's used quite frequently for swimming."

Kerber says McCullough-Martin's address is in the 2300 block of North Pearland Drive in Pearland.

"We think she may have been drinking," Kerber says. "According to the initial report from the medical examiner's office, there's no signs of foul play or trauma. It's a tragic accidental drowning."