Priscila, 33, of Delran, was at Amico Island Park on Monday, August 24, when a frightening situation unfolded near the Delaware River. Delran Police responded to the park shortly before 4 p.m. following a report of potential drowning victims.

According to authorities, a juvenile girl was struggling in the water when Priscila entered the Delaware River in an attempt to rescue her. In a selfless act, Priscila managed to push the girl toward the shore, where bystanders were able to pull the child safely from the water.

But while helping the girl reach safety, Priscila went underwater and did not resurface.

What followed was an extensive search involving numerous emergency agencies from New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Police officers, firefighters, emergency medical crews, dive teams, drone operators and other personnel searched the area for hours, refusing to give up hope of finding her.

The search was suspended late Monday night and resumed around 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. At approximately 8:15 a.m., Priscila’s body was located and recovered about 20 feet from a beach at Amico Island Park.

Her husband later shared that Tuesday, August 25, was supposed to be Priscila’s 34th birthday. Instead of celebrating her birthday together, her family is now facing the unbearable pain of mourning her death.

He described Priscila as an evangelical and a heroine who gave her own life to save a child. He also said the girl she rescued was a 9-year-old family member.

Priscila’s final moments have left behind a story of extraordinary courage. Faced with a child in danger, she acted without hesitation, entering the water to help bring the young girl toward safety.

The child survived because Priscila chose to help.

For her family, that sacrifice will forever be part of the story of her life. Yet behind the tragedy is also the memory of a woman who loved her family, cared for others and demonstrated tremendous courage in a moment of danger.

Losing someone suddenly is an indescribable experience. For Priscila’s loved ones, the coming days will undoubtedly bring overwhelming grief, especially knowing that her birthday was meant to be a day of celebration. Instead, August 25 will now carry a painful significance for those who loved her.

Authorities said the circumstances surrounding the incident are not believed to be suspicious. The Burlington County Medical Examiner’s Office will continue its investigation, and no additional information was immediately released. Amico Island Park remained closed Tuesday while the investigation continued.

As the Delran community mourns, Priscila’s story is likely to be remembered not only for the tragedy of her death, but for the courage she showed when another person’s life was at risk.

She entered the water to save a child and succeeded in helping that child reach safety. Her actions came at an unimaginable cost, but they demonstrated a profound willingness to put another person’s life before her own.

🕊️ May Priscila Alvares Pereira Dos Santos rest in peace. May her family find strength during this heartbreaking time, and may the child she saved and everyone who knew her carry forward the memory of her courage, compassion and selfless act.