Police Seek Name of Dead Woman

Without a name to go with the body of a woman found in a North Hollywood alley this week, Los Angeles police detectives said Friday they have little hope of finding out who strangled the woman.

Detectives held a news conference near the San Fernando Road alley where the woman’s body was discovered Wednesday night to ask for the public’s help in identifying her. The victim was described as a Latina, 20 to 25 years old, five feet tall and 125 pounds.

Detective Mike Coffey said the woman had a distinctive gold crown on one of her right front upper teeth. At the time she was killed she was wearing an outfit that included pink socks, shorts and a shirt with the words “Vogue Paris, New York” on the front. She also wore a denim jacket and black shoes with purple laces and trim.

Coffey said investigators believe the woman’s body was dumped in the alley in the 8100 block of San Fernando Road on Wednesday between 6 and 10 p.m., when it was discovered by a nearby resident.

Coffey said that most homicide investigations begin by establishing the victim’s identity, giving detectives a frame of reference so they can search for clues.

“Without identifying this young lady, our investigation will be over,” Coffey said.

He said investigators have canvassed the neighborhood around the alley and found no one who knew the woman. Checks of local and national computer listings of fingerprints and missing persons turned up nothing.

“We have no idea where she was from or who she was,” Coffey said. “She could have been from anywhere. Nobody has reported this young lady missing.”