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Mary Mara, 'ER' and 'Nash Bridges' actress, dies at 61 in apparent drowning

Actress Mary Mara, best known for her dramatic roles on television shows including "ER," "Ray Donovan" and "Nash Bridges," has died in what New York authorities said appeared to be a drowning accident. She was 61.

The New York State Police said Monday a woman identified as Mara was found shortly after 8 a.m. Sunday in the St. Lawrence River near Cape Vincent, in upstate New York close to the Canadian border.

NYSP’s preliminary "investigation suggests the victim (Mara) drowned while swimming," according to a release. Upon examination, Mara's body “showed no signs of foul play.” The actress' body was transported to the Jefferson County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine an official cause of death.

The investigation is ongoing.

In a statement to USA TODAY Monday, her manager, Craig Dorfman, described her as "electric, funny, and a true individual."

"Mary was one of the finest actresses I ever met," her manager continued. "Everyone loved her."

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The St. Lawrence River runs through the town of Cape Vincent, New York, where Mara was a resident, the release states. Mara was staying with her sister at the time, NYSP Trooper Jack L. Keller confirmed to USA TODAY on Monday.

Born in Syracuse, New York, Mara studied acting at San Francisco State University and the Yale School of Drama before making her show biz debut as Susan Bird in the TV movie “The Preppie Murder” in 1989. In the ‘90s, Mara would go on to score roles in the medical drama “ER” and the crime drama “Nash Bridges,” playing Loretta Sweet and Insp. Bryn Carson respectively.

Mara landed a few roles in the "Law & Order" universe as well, appearing on "Law & Order" in 1999 and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" in 2005.

The actress also graced the silver screen, making her film debut in the Kathryn Bigelow action drama “Blue Steel,” starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Ron Silver. Mara appeared in films such as “Mr. Saturday Night,” “Love Potion No. 9” and “Prom Night.”

Mara’s final acting role was in the 2020 action film “Break Even.”

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Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mary Mara, 'ER' and 'Law & Order' actress, dies after drowning in NY