Valleywide : Police Seek Help to Identify Burned Body

Los Angeles police sought the public’s help Wednesday in identifying a woman whose burning body was found nearly a year ago near the Foothill Freeway in Tujunga.

Foothill Division homicide detectives displayed a composite sketch drawing of the woman and newly polished jewelry she was wearing at the time of the death in hopes that family members or friends may recognize the items and call police, police Detective Lillian Johnson said.

“We have to know who she was so that we can find out who saw her last,” Detective Frank Bishop said.

The body of the woman, who was believed to be about 25 years old, was discovered while still burning by a passerby Aug. 7 in a remote area near La Tuna Canyon Road.

Police have previously said they believe she was dead at the time she was set afire.

Though an exact cause of death has not been established, Bishop said it appears she was slain.

Police described the woman as about 5 feet 6 inches, 135 pounds, with straight teeth and a small nose.

She was wearing a dark brown wig, brown Levi’s with a leather belt and a multicolored shirt with pressed flowers on it, but had no shoes or socks.

She also wore a metal Sacred Heart of Jesus necklace, a pinky ring with a purple stone and three diamonds on her right hand and two small hoop earrings.

She also had several small moles on her forehead and a scar above her right eyebrow.