Law enforcement seeking help identifying Florida cold case victim with Charleston ties

CHARLESTON, S.C. — A sheriff’s office in Florida is asking for help identifying a cold case victim believed to have connections to Charleston and South Carolina.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Office in Florida says on Oct. 7, 1995, a female body was found in the water by York Island, Fla. The woman was wearing a maroon scrub top with “Charleston S.C. V.A. Hospital” written on the back when found and is believed to be from South Carolina, the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office wrote in a social media post.

Law enforcement estimates the woman to be between 30-50 years old, approximately 5’2”-5’4” in height, and roughly 130 pounds at the time of death.

The victim’s DNA was submitted for genealogical testing, and results show her DNA was traced back to a small population of 11 counties in South Carolina, including Charleston County.

According to an FBI flyer, the victim was also wearing a yellow metal ring with a 2mm ivory-colored stone, a lightweight metal bracelet, and a white metal watch on her left wrist when she was found.

Investigators say she had evidence of cranial surgery on the left side of her skull and had surgically placed screws in her right ankle. The victim likely smoked during her life.

If you have any information or would like to request additional information, contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at (239) 477-1189, FBI ViCAP at (800) 634-4097, or [email protected].