The Lost and the Found

Foot found in river may be linked to head from lake

Star Tribune: Newspaper of the Twin Cities - Wednesday, June 16, 1993
Author: Conrad deFiebre; Staff Writer

A human foot found in the Mississippi River has been tentatively linked to the head of a woman discovered more than 20 miles away, but authorities said Tuesday that they were no closer to learning the victim's identity or how she died.

Washington County deputies again searched around Bone Lake , where the head was found Saturday, and planned to make an aerial search, as well. But nothing else has been found, and sheriff's Capt. David Heuer said he doubted that the woman was killed near the lake , in New Scandia Township.

"It could have happened out of state and somebody transported her up here," he said.

Authorities yesterday released an artist's drawing of the victim, described as a white woman in her 20s or 30s, with brown eyes and dark brown to black hair in a short, multilayered style, "spiked" on top with a small pigtail in back. Three holes were pierced in each ear.

Investigators are seeking to match the victim with reports of missing women, but there are "hundreds to thousands" of them nationally, said Dr. Michael McGee, the Washington County medical examiner. "We desperately need to find out who this young lady is," he said. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at 439-9381 or the medical examiner's office at 224-7627.

Investigators already have received many phone tips, Heuer said. Most callers have named missing women, and all have been ruled out so far.

Investigators also have determined that this case is unrelated to a headless torso recently discovered in Litchfield, Mo., Heuer said.

The left foot , found Monday evening on the east bank of the Mississippi near Pig's Eye Lake in St. Paul, was severed just above the ankle, McGee said. He estimated it as size 9 and added that not enough of the body has been recovered to determine the height or weight of the victim.

Authorities cannot be sure the head and foot are from the same person, but they believe they are because the foot appears to be that of a young white woman.

In addition, both the head and foot were severed very cleanly, possibly with the same sharp instruments, Heuer said.

St. Paul police and the Ramsey County sheriff's water patrol searched the area along Childs Rd. where the foot washed up, but found no other evidence.