Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit shares photos of unidentified 1982 victim
The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit needs your help identifying a woman who was found dead in Tuscaloosa County more than 40 years ago.
In April of that year, the white woman was found dead on the Black Warrior River in the Fosters area of Tuscaloosa County. Her body was found in good condition, meaning she’d likely died within the past 24 to 48 hours, and an autopsy suggested she’d suffered extensive trauma and had likely been killed.
At the time, investigators took and used 35mm photographs of the woman and attempted to identify her by publicizing the case and searching missing persons reports, but they came up empty.
More recently, the investigation resulted in the woman’s exhumation. Despite decades of efforts, she has still not been identified.
Now, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has teamed up with the Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services Lab at Louisiana State University, which created several high-quality images of the victim from the original photographs and medical records.
The FACES Lab uses forensic imaging to create images that are life-like and more representative of how a victim would have appeared in life.
The Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit is releasing these images to the public in the hopes that an acquaintance or family member recognizes the victim so she can be identified. They’re also hoping her identification results in solving the case.
Investigators describe the victim as:
- White female
- 5 feet 3 inches tall
- Shoulder-length black or brown hair
- Brown eyes
- Type O blood
- Wore size 7 shoes
- Previously pregnant or had given birth to a child at some point
If you recognize this woman or have any information you believe may be relevant, please contact the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s Office at 205-752-0616 or the Tuscaloosa Violent Crimes Unit at 205-464-8690.
