Woman Crushed to Death After Lifeguard Tower Falls On Top of Her While Sleeping

A woman authorities believe was sleeping on top of a lifeguard tower in Virginia Beach died after the tower fell and reportedly crushed her. 

According to reporting from The Virginian-Pilot, authorities responded to a call around 3:30 a.m. Saturday and said a lifeguard stand had fallen on 28-year-old Chelsea Moles. She was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department. 

Moles was allegedly asleep on the lifeguard tower by 21st Street when another person tied a hammock on the stand, causing it to fall over and kill Moles, Virginia Beach Police spokesperson Jude Brenya told the news outlet. 

Moles’ boyfriend, Frank who preferred not to provide his last name to 13NewsNow, shared his devastation over Moles’ death. 

"I was devastated. She was very outgoing and compassionate about a lot of people. She was like the best girl in the world." 

Moles was suspected to be experiencing homelessness, according to reporting from 13NewsNow. Patrick McNeely, who is also unhoused, told the outlet he would see her around at the Oceanfront from time to time. 

"I heard about. It's really sad. It's sad," McNeely said of the incident. "I don't understand the whole thing where it fell on somebody. Those things are really heavy.”

Investigators ruled Moles’ death an accident and no charges are pending.