Articles/Mushroom Black Jane Doe

[Starless]

The Patriot
June 23, 1979

AUTOPSY SHOWS
WOMAN DIED
LAST OCTOBER

Duncannon/ An autopsy has revealed that the woman whose decomposed body was found near here probably died last October, but the cause of her death remains a mystery, officials said Friday.

Perry County acting Coroner Marlin Raffensperger said he is uncertain whether the woman's death was accidental or the result of foul play.

"We don't really have that much to go on to make a determination. We're hoping that through the news releases, somewhere along the line, we'll get some information to identify the individual," he said.

State Police in Duncannon said the autopsy was completed Thursday at Carlisle Hospital by Cumberland County Coroner Dr. Robert McConaghie.

Raffensperger requested the procedure after the woman's body was found Wednesday evening at the base of a 15 foot embankment off route 322 three miles west of Duncannon.

Police said the body was discovered Wednesday about 7:20 p.m. by a Perry County man collecting rocks along the highway at the Watts Twp. site.

The woman was white, 18 to 30 years old, 5 feet 4, slim, with blonde hair, police said.

She was wearing blue slacks, argyle socks, a white blouse, blue ribbed tank top and a tan windbreaker.

She also was wearing an Indian style sterling silver and turquoise necklace and earrings, an Avon silver buckle chain bracelet, silver ring with onyx and an oblong silver ring with turquoise and onyx.

Police have asked that anyone who knows of a missing woman matching the description of the victim to contact Duncannon State Police.

Police said they have dental records of the woman to aid in identification.