Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 12, 1995 TAG: 9507120052
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WOODBRIDGE LENGTH: Medium
Combining the talents of a sculptor and information provided by forensic scientists, authorities have reconstructed in clay what they think are the slight features and facial angles of a slain young woman.
``This is someone whose identity we need to track down,'' said Doug Owsley, a forensic anthropologist at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. ``Someone is responsible for her death, and I can't imagine that there aren't parents out there who haven't worried a great deal about this lady.''
Owsley's analysis of the bones revealed a white female between the ages of 13 and 20. She had a small frame, weighed about 110 pounds, and was no taller than 5 feet 2.
Recent advances in DNA testing would allow police to compare the woman's remains with people who might be relatives. To boost the chances of someone's contacting authorities, the Virginia Forensic Science Lab in Richmond spent two weeks in June completing a terra-cotta likeness of the victim.
Bits of tattered clothing as well as a cardigan sweater, a chiffon flower-print blouse, a pair of size 5 lace-up platform shoes and a pair of corduroy pants were found with the remains near Haymarket.
Other items - a simple gold necklace, coins, a red disposable lighter and a house key on a leather key ring - are part of the mystery. All have been held in police storage since they were discovered Feb. 12, 1982.
Detectives have chased hundreds of leads in the case over the years, including several in recent months, but the victim remains nameless. Police have searched through missing persons records with the FBI and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, but turned up nothing.
Police believe the young woman was slain in 1979, 1980 or 1981. They will not comment on the cause of her death. The remains were about 200 yards from a swimming hole, known locally as ``the Quarry,'' that was a popular haunt of teen-agers.
``She may have been a chronic runaway whose family just gave up hope,'' said Prince William police spokesman Kim Chinn. ``We have guesses, but we really don't know. ... Someone out there knows who she is.''
Keywords:
FATALITY
by CNB