A purse found nearby had identification that belonged to a woman from Virginia who has been missing since December. But an autopsy performed Monday also did not raise suspicions that the woman was the victim of a crime. Fishermen found the body Sunday morning near where Interstate 295 passes the Maine Mall area.
Police believe the body had been in the woods all winter.
A purse found nearby had identification that belonged to a woman from Virginia who has been missing since December. The medical examiner's office has requested dental records from Virginia authorities to confirm the identity. A spokeswoman for the state medical examiner said the cause of death remained inconclusive pending further tests. Matthew Stewart, homicide detective with the Maine State Police, said there had been no broken down car on the highway or other clear indicator of why the woman was in that section of woods. At this juncture we don't believe there is anything suspicious with regard to this demise.