Autopsy Fails to Reveal Clues in Woman’s Death

PALMDALE — An autopsy has failed to help authorities identify a woman whose body was found in an open field Wednesday, or to determine how she died, according to the coroner’s office.

The woman’s body was discovered by a boy riding his bicycle along a dirt road. Authorities believe the woman was murdered.

Scott Carrier, a spokesman with the coroner’s office, said Friday’s autopsy was inconclusive in large part because the body was so badly decomposed. He did say, however, that gunshot wounds were not found on the body.

The next step, Carrier said, is for toxicology tests to be completed. Results from those tests, which check for alcohol and drugs, may take as long as eight weeks.

The woman, who is thought to have died several days before she was discovered, is believed to be either white or a light-skinned Latina. She was found between Sierra Highway and 10th Street East south of Avenue R.