Authorities are seeking the public’s help in identifying a woman whose body was found decomposed when supected serial killer Darren Vann led police to the basement of a vacant home in Northwest Indiana last month.
The woman, thought to be in her 30s or 40s, was found Oct. 19 at 413 E. 43rd Ave. in Gary, Ind., according to the Lake County Coroner’s office.
A forensic analysis determined the woman was likely Hispanic, though test results were “ambiguous” and other races cannot be ruled out, authorities said. The woman was about 5-foot-6 with an average build. Investigators found healed fractures in her nose, suggesting she suffered a past injury.
Anyone with information should call the coroner’s office at (219) 755-3265.
Vann, 43, of Gary, is charged with murder, murder in perpetration of robbery, and robbery resulting in serious bodily injury in the Oct. 17 strangulation death of Afrika Hardy, 19, whose body was found in a Hammond motel bathtub.
He also faces the same charges in the death of Anith Jones, 35, of Merrillville. He pleaded not guilty in both deaths.
Vann was arrested a day after Hardy's body was found in a Hammond motel and, according to police, provided information which led to the discovery of six more bodies, including Jones'.
Local
Five of the bodies were found Oct. 19. Two of the women were identified as Gary residents Teaira Batey, 28, and Kristine Williams, 36. Police have not determined the identities of the other three, including two whose bodies were found on the same Gary block as Jones' body.
All of the deaths were ruled homicides.
Lake County Coroner Merrilee Frey previously asked for the public's help in identifying two of the bodies. Anyone with information is asked to call the Lake County Coroner’s Office at 219-755-3265.
