http://www.normantranscript.com/localnews/...story_163013320Published June 12, 2009 12:33 am - It's been almost a year since a woman's body was discovered at Lake Thunderbird, and investigators are still working to determine the woman's identity.
Terry Gibson, assistant park manager at Lake Thunderbird, said no new details have emerged in the case.
Identity of body found at lake remains a mystery
By Meghan McCormick
It's been almost a year since a woman's body was discovered at Lake Thunderbird, and investigators are still working to determine the woman's identity.
Terry Gibson, assistant park manager at Lake Thunderbird, said no new details have emerged in the case.
"I talked to OSBI about two weeks ago. They have nothing new," Gibson said.
According to the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, the medical examiner's office believes the remains are those of a white female possibly with Native American heritage who was about 5 feet 5 inches tall and between 30 and 45 years old. She also had at least one child.
A lake visitor found the remains Aug. 31.
The woman had a distinctive sunburst tattoo on a large portion of her back, the OSBI said.
Gibson said investigators have checked with tattoo artists in Oklahoma and surrounding states to see if anyone remembers designing the tattoo. So far, nobody has recognized it. Therefore, agents believe the tattoo is homemade.
After the body was discovered in late August, it was transported to the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office in Oklahoma City for an autopsy and complete testing.
According to the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office, the cause or manner of the woman's death was listed as "not identified."
Earlier this spring, an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation forensic artist reconstructed the woman's skull. The OSBI released a photo of the reconstructed skull in April.
In March, OSBI spokesperson Jessica Brown said agents might be able to identify the woman using a DNA sample. The process can take several months.
"We're trying to get DNA," she said. "Once we get DNA, we can put it in the database and see if there is anyone who has been put in the database listed as a missing person."
Brown said a match could be made using the woman's DNA and comparing it to a potential family member such as a parent.
Also, it's a possibility the woman's DNA could already be recorded in an existing DNA system, Brown said.
"We're using as many databases as much as possible," she said.
Anyone who has information about the woman is urged to call OSBI at (800) 522-8017 or leave information on the OSBI tipline on the OSBI Web site at www.ok.gov/osbi.
Meghan McCormick 366-3539 mmccormick@normantranscript
