The Lost and the Found

http://www.officialcoldcaseinvestig...truction-can-help-ID-woman-found-dead-in-1979

http://www.nhregister.com/general-ne...d-dead-in-1979

WEST HAVEN >> Police are hoping an image recently completed by forensic artists using facial reconstruction will help them identify a woman found dead 35 years ago in the New Haven Water Company property off Route 34 and allow detectives to close the cold case.


The woman is described as white and was estimated to be in her late teens to early 20s, police spokesman Sgt. David Tammaro said Tuesday. She was about 5 feet 1 inches to 5 feet 3 inches tall. The woman’s body was found April 20, 1979 adjacent to Route 34 (Derby Avenue). She had been dead for between one to eight years when she was found, according to police.


“We don’t have anything conclusive that may describe her manner of death,” Tammaro said. “We’re trying to identify her because we would like to close the case and notify any next of kin. If someone could identify her, we could develop leads and find out how she got to West Haven and possibly find a suspect.”


Police said the woman had periodontal disease and several fillings in her teeth. All of her wisdom teeth were congenitally missing. She may have had a missing lower vertebra, police said, and may also have had arthritis that would have caused some lower back pain.


Police said the facial reconstruction is an example of what she may have looked like.


The only clothing item found with her was a black lace bra. Also with her was a folding travel alarm clock in a hard red case.


Because of her advanced stage of decomposition, Tammaro said police are unable to determine her hair and eye colors and cause of death.


Tammaro said no missing persons descriptions and reports in recent years matched that of the found body.


“Detectives have been working on the case since the body was found and it was passed to different detectives over the years as the case went cold,” Tammaro said. “Detectives were in the area as recently as October because new bones were discovered and were determined to belong to the girl.”


The facial reconstruction was created by forensic artists at the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.


See the poster created by the NCMEC here.


Tammaro said the department is appealing to the help of the public to identify her. Police ask that anyone with information call the West Haven Police Department at 203-937-3900. Anyone providing information can do so anonymously, Tammaro said.

http://www.nhregister.com/general-ne...d-dead-in-1979