Fitness instructor, 57, found dead in tub

NORWALK -- The apparent drowning of a 57-year-old Norwalk Community College fitness instructor in her home Friday morning is under police investigation.

Wanda Purcell, of Brookhill Lane, was found in a Jacuzzi tub by her husband, James Purcell, early Friday.

Purcell reported the death to police at 5:10 a.m. He told police his wife got up at 1 a.m. to get into the tub. When he woke up later, at about 5 a.m., and went to look for his wife, he found her there, Sgt. Lisa Cotto said.

Police are trying to determine if Wanda Purcell accidentally drowned in the tub, Cotto said.

The body has been taken to the office of the chief medical examiner in Farmington. An autopsy was to be performed Saturday to determine the cause and manner of death, Cotto said.

Rose Ellis, dean of administration at NCC, said Purcell has been an instructor at the college's Center for Science, Health and Wellness for more than 10 years. Ellis said she had been taking kick-boxing lessons from Purcell since January in an effort to get into shape. Purcell was a certified kick-boxing instructor and had a red belt in the art of Soo Bok Do.

"This woman saved my life. I am just sick, just utterly ill over this. I can't believe it," Ellis said, adding that she had a lesson scheduled with Purcell for Saturday. Ellis said that since school was out for the summer, Purcell had not been instructing at NCC, but had been teaching fitness classes at the Norwalk YMCA.

"She was one of the most happy, enthusiastic and ambitious women I have known. She was very passionate about everything that had to do with physical activity," Ellis said. "She was such a lovely lady. I can't get my arms around this," she said.

Ellis added that Purcell had told her that she had a sore shoulder and would sit in the Jacuzzi in order to make it feel better.

Staff Writer John Nickerson can be reached at 203-964-2320 or john.nickerson@scni.com.