Drowning Incident at Baymont Inn Under Investigation

A tragic incident at a Front Royal hotel has left a visiting hiker dead, prompting an ongoing investigation by local authorities.

On the night of Tuesday, July 1, just after 10:00 p.m., officers with the Front Royal Police Department were dispatched to the Baymont Inn, located at 10 South Commerce Avenue, following a report of a possible drowning in the hotel pool.

Upon arrival, officers found an unresponsive male in the water and immediately entered the pool to remove him. CPR and life-saving measures were initiated on-site and continued until personnel from Warren County Fire and Rescue arrived. Emergency responders transported the man to Warren Memorial Hospital. He was later transferred to Winchester Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries the following day.

The victim has been identified as 38-year-old Michael Anthony Glass of Dayton, Ohio. According to authorities, Mr. Glass was hiking the Appalachian Trail and passing through the Front Royal area at the time of the incident. Friends and trail acquaintances described him as an experienced hiker who enjoyed meeting people and exploring the outdoors.

Police say that while the case remains under investigation, there are currently no indications of foul play. An autopsy may be performed to determine the precise cause of death.

Detective Z.S. Wallace is leading the investigation and encourages anyone with information regarding the events of that evening to come forward. Tips can be submitted by phone at 540-636-2208 or via email at zwallace@frontroyalva.com.

As the community awaits further details, many are reminded of the importance of pool safety, especially in hotels during the busy summer travel season.

(From Front Royal Police Department Press Release)