Investigators are hoping a facial reconstruction of an unidentified woman whose bones were found in September will help them identify her.
The skeletal remains were found Sept. 21 in a steep wash area about 1400 N. 350 West, near Ensign Peak. Chukar hunters located the bones, which still had some clothing on them, and notified Salt Lake police.Homicide detectives are investigating the case, but they do not know if the woman died of natural causes or if the death was a homicide.
"We don't know what it is. It's a suspicious death, and may not even be suspicious," said Salt Lake Police Lt. Jim Bell.
The remains showed no indications of foul play - no broken bones, no scarred bones and no holes in the bones. "Everything that we recovered is intact," Bell said.
Detectives believe the remains had been there for at least two years and as many as five. Some of the body's smaller bones had been washed away and there were not enough teeth left to study dental records.
The remains were sent to the University of Wyoming for a facial reconstruction. Police are hoping someone may recognize the woman and help identify her.
The woman is described as between 5 feet 5 inches and 5 feet 7 inches tall, 45 to 50 years old or older and heavy-set. A pair of pants found with the remains was a size 40 waist. The woman is believed to be Indian or Caucasian.
Anyone who recognizes the woman or may have information is encouraged to call the Salt Lake police homicide detectives, 799-3730.
In August 1989, Tooele County sheriff's detectives distributed photographs of a woman whose body was found in the area of Lookout Pass. She had been shot once in the head. A relative saw a photograph in the Deseret News depicting a facial reconstruction of the victim and she was identified. The husband of the woman was subsequently charged with murdering her and is currently serving a 5-years-to-life sentence in prison.