Body of woman found in Sumter Co.; Victim had 'Jane' tattooed on shoulder

SUMTER COUNTY, Fla. — An anthropologist is helping the Sumter County Sheriff's Office identify a woman whose decomposing remains were found in a wooded area near Interstate 75 in Wildwood.

For the first time, investigators showed Channel 9 the crime scene where the woman's body was discovered by teens riding an ATV last month.

Detectives said Thursday that the woman had been shot to death.

Because they could not identify the remains, a forensic anthropologist from the University of South Florida was brought in.

The anthropologist, Erin Kimmerle, will use 3-D laser scans to create a likeness from the badly decomposed remains.

"It's a likeness. It's not an exact, perfect photograph. But the idea is that there's something there that will trigger memory in somebody who knew her and that they'll come forward," said Kimmerle.

Kimmerle started with the victim's skull and hair and using 3-D laser technology, she created an image a friend or relative might recognize.

Investigators said the victim has the name "Jane" tattooed on her left shoulder. They believe it could be her name or possibly a relative's name.

Detectives hope that bit of information will help them solve the case before it grows too cold.

"We're just hoping this will stir somebody that's maybe a member of her family to give us the lead we need to identify her," said Sheriff Bill Farmer.

Sumter County detectives have already traveled to Alabama and Las Vegas following up leads in the case.

WFTV