A new police report revealed new details surrounding the death of Miss Alabama for American Strong 2021, Zoe Bethel, in Miami, Fla. Bethel reportedly jumped from a balcony on Feb. 10 after running full speed towards the railing.
New details suggest Bethel had taken an edible while having dinner earlier in the evening. The pageant winner was dining with her brother, Santiago Roman. Roman told the authorities his sister put something in her mouth at dinner, and when he asked her what it was, she responded that it was cannabis to help her relax.
“The victim ingested a small amount of the substance,” said the report. “Mr. Roman asked what’s that substance and she replied that it was a form of cannabis that helps her relax given to her by a friend.”
Roman told the authorities that they went back to his condo in the La Piazza Navona building after dinner. He said Bethel complained she was feeling hot. She took a shower but was still feeling hot and “began acting very strange.”
As Roman was in his bedroom, he heard his sister open the condo’s front door and called for Bethel to go back inside before witnessing her run “full speed” and go over the balcony. Roman told 911 Bethel had been acting erratically and was having some kind of breakdown. Before going over the balcony, she also called her other brother, Zion Lemuel Bethel.
“Mr. Roman then went out and observed the victim walking near the elevator. Mr. Roman called out the victim’s name to tell her to get back inside. The victim looked back and took off running full speed straight ahead. Mr. Roman stated that the victim was not aware of the balcony railing in front of her. The victim’s bottom part of her body hit the railing and she fell over, landing on the first-floor parking lot.”
Her family posted an announcement on Instagram following the accident and reported Bethel had severe damage to her brain and brain stem. She was in a coma at the time, and the doctors had given a grave prognosis. The post included a video of Bethel.
“Hello everyone. This message comes from the family of Zoe Bethel. Zoe had an accident Thursday night, February 10th, & sustained severe damage to her brain/brainstem & is in a coma. Unfortunately, the doctors are saying the damage cannot be repaired & that she may not have much time left. We are praying for God’s will to be done, regardless of what that may look like. This has been an abrupt & very traumatizing situation for our family, & we can imagine how much of a shock this will also be to everyone who knows & cares for her. We ask that everyone please respect the privacy of our family during this time. Keep Zoe & the family in your prayers! There will be a link in her bio for those who would like to show support.”
View this post on Instagram
Bethel died several days later on Feb. 18, at approximately 5:30 a.m. Her family shared an update on her Instagram page.
“On Friday, February 18, 2022, at approximately 5:30 AM Eastern time in Miami, Florida, our beloved Zoe Sozo Bethel passed from this life into the next as a result of succumbing to her injuries.”
“Zoe touched the hearts of many people and was actively affiliated with several organizations and groups namely, she was the current Miss Alabama (for America Strong), a political commentator for RSBN, a Brand Ambassador for Turning Point USA, and Liberty University’s Falkirk Center. She was also a spokeswoman for Students for Life and affiliated with Project Veritas.:
View this post on Instagram
No arrests have been made, and the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner ruled Bethel’s cause of death as accidental. She leaves behind a five-year-old daughter.
Our condolences to the family.
