AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying a woman whose remains were discovered in 2000 in Falls County. Based on multiple forensic analyses, investigators estimate that she died in the mid-1980s to possibly early 1990s.
On April 9, 2000, fishermen found a skull at the edge of a pond on County Road 451, approximately five miles from Interstate 35 in Falls County, just south of Waco. Additional remains were discovered with clothing and other personal items, and foul play is suspected in the woman’s death.
A DPS Texas Rangers forensic artist was able to develop a facial reconstruction from the skull. The above image represents the victim’s probable appearance in the mid-1980s. The victim is believed to be of Hispanic and/or Asian descent, age 25 – 45, and between 4 feet 7 inches and 5 feet 3 inches tall.
A DNA profile has been developed from the bones recovered; however no matches have been made to any known missing person case. It is possible this woman was never officially reported missing.
Among the items found with the remains was a gold pendant, featuring a fire-breathing dragon on one side and a bird on the other side. According to research done by investigators, the images on the necklace may be a depiction of the dragon and phoenix myth, common in Asian culture.
Anyone with information about any missing person matching her description should contact the Texas Rangers’ Offices in Waco at: (254) 754-2303, or the Texas Department of Public Safety, Missing Persons Clearinghouse at (512) 424-5074 or (800) 346-3243.
DPS encourages anyone with a missing relative from any time period to submit a familial reference sample of DNA by contacting the agency that investigated the disappearance. The process is simple and free, usually consisting of a simple cheek-swabbing, but must be done via a law enforcement agency.
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