The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office is asking for the public’s help to identify a woman whose body was found on the shore of the Sacramento River in Isleton on March 21, 2021.”We put (the sketch) out hoping to get the public’s help,” said Kim Nava, a spokesperson for Sacramento County. “Maybe something sounds familiar about the case. Maybe the sketch looks familiar.”The woman is believed to be Caucasian or Hispanic and between 30 and 60 years old, Nava said. She was approximately five feet tall and weighed 100 pounds, with medium-length black and gray curly hair and brown eyes. Due to the condition of the body when it was found, the coroner was unable to obtain fingerprints. The coroner said the decedent’s teeth are in good condition.Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick, an expert in forensic genealogy, said teeth can be incredibly helpful in solving cases of unidentified people.“The enamel in your teeth is the hardest substance in your body. So that means that it’s the best protection against the soft tissue underneath, which can yield DNA,” she said. Advancements in technology and in fields like forensic genetic genealogy over the last decade are helping experts more regularly identify unidentified people. “We’re doing more and more with less and less,” she said. “The databases have expanded. We now have policies and procedures on the best way to set it up, the most ethical way to set it up. We have funding from the federal government—especially for John and Jane Does.”It’s up to the agency investigating or the medical examiner to send DNA for further testing, Fitzpatrick said. She said she continues to do this kind of work for many reasons, including bringing peace to the loved ones of the deceased.”Even if those families are estranged, there’s friends, there’s neighbors, there’s sweethearts,” she said. “There are children that are wondering, wondering what happened. Give them release. Give them peace of mind.”Nava said the office is hopeful the sketch will prompt new leads. It was a tip from the public last year, she said, that helped the coroner identify a John Doe.Anyone with information in this case is asked to contact the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office at 916-874-9320 or via email at DeputyCoroner@saccounty.gov.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

ISLETON, Calif. —

The Sacramento County Coroner’s Office is asking for the public’s help to identify a woman whose body was found on the shore of the Sacramento River in Isleton on March 21, 2021.

“We put (the sketch) out hoping to get the public’s help,” said Kim Nava, a spokesperson for Sacramento County. “Maybe something sounds familiar about the case. Maybe the sketch looks familiar.”

The woman is believed to be Caucasian or Hispanic and between 30 and 60 years old, Nava said. She was approximately five feet tall and weighed 100 pounds, with medium-length black and gray curly hair and brown eyes.

Due to the condition of the body when it was found, the coroner was unable to obtain fingerprints. The coroner said the decedent’s teeth are in good condition.

Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick, an expert in forensic genealogy, said teeth can be incredibly helpful in solving cases of unidentified people.

“The enamel in your teeth is the hardest substance in your body. So that means that it’s the best protection against the soft tissue underneath, which can yield DNA,” she said.

Advancements in technology and in fields like forensic genetic genealogy over the last decade are helping experts more regularly identify unidentified people.

“We’re doing more and more with less and less,” she said. “The databases have expanded. We now have policies and procedures on the best way to set it up, the most ethical way to set it up. We have funding from the federal government—especially for John and Jane Does.”

It’s up to the agency investigating or the medical examiner to send DNA for further testing, Fitzpatrick said.

She said she continues to do this kind of work for many reasons, including bringing peace to the loved ones of the deceased.

“Even if those families are estranged, there’s friends, there’s neighbors, there’s sweethearts,” she said. “There are children that are wondering, wondering what happened. Give them release. Give them peace of mind.”

Nava said the office is hopeful the sketch will prompt new leads. It was a tip from the public last year, she said, that helped the coroner identify a John Doe.

Anyone with information in this case is asked to contact the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office at 916-874-9320 or via email at DeputyCoroner@saccounty.gov.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel