Family, Neighbors Devastated To Learn Woman Drowned In Storm Cellar

Thursday morning was filled with heartbreak for those who knew and loved 43-year-old Skylyna Stewart. The Medical Examiner's office confirmed her identity Thursday afternoon, after police and investigators were able to process the scene and notify immediate family.

“I just remember her growing up in Norman,” said Laura McMasters, who is a family friend. “And just being a wonderful young lady at the time.”

Family members came from all around Oklahoma to visit the home where Stewart lived and to see the cellar where she lost her life. They are still in shock by what happened and say there had never been any problems with the outdoor cellar before.

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But neighbors confirmed Wednesday night's torrential downpour created a fast moving river of water that flooded the streets and the fields and ultimately the cellar.

“I wish my other daughter would have come out here last night. She was supposed to come here last night, to be with her” said McMasters. “She was by herself and she was scared. And things didn't work out.”

Neighbors say one of them tried to check on Stewart during the storm, but was not able to get the storm cellar door to open. It wasn't until a neighbor came by to check on her today that they were able to open the door and discovered her body inside the waterlogged cellar.

Now friends and family are left grieving her loss.

“If there's one thing that I want people to remember about her, it's definitely that she was a very loving person,” said Mariah Townsend, who identifies herself as a distant cousin. “She had a very kind heart”.

Friends and family say Stewart leaves behind five children ranging in age from 24 to 13. They say none of her kids were home with her at the time. But family members say they now wish that someone had been with her.