Urban Forest Find Remains Mystery For Now
Officers investigate scene of body found in woods on Irving Avenue
An autopsy of the remains found in the urban forest off of Irving Avenue in Astoria produced inconclusive results, according to Astoria Police Deputy Chief Brad Johnston. No manner or cause of death could be determined during the autopsy, conducted Monday, October 24th, by the Oregon State Police Medical Examiner’s Office. Further tests will be conducted to determine the cause of death and to positively identify the remains.
On Sunday, October 23, 2011 the Clatsop County Major Crime Team conducted a scene investigation in the wooded area south of Irving at 25th. The area was searched for evidence and the body was examined, then removed to the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office.
Based on the examination of the scene a conclusion was not made about manner or cause of death or the identification of the deceased. A local woman, Lois White, walked away from her home in Astoria in July and never returned. Four days later her family reported her missing. “The first question that everyone has asked, is if this is Lois White,” said Johnston, “We are a likely a long way from knowing that answer with any certainty. While investigators have made some observations that would support this theory, they have not come to a conclusion. Identification will likely be made through forensic means. These means will take several weeks at best.” The White family was notified of the discovery Saturday, October 22nd, as a courtesy, Johnston said.
Astoria police report that no dental records have been located for White and therefore no positive identification can be made through dental records. The dental records of the recovered body will be compared against the National Crime Information Center’s Missing Person Records. DNA from the remains will also be compared against Missing Person Records.
Related Article:
Body Found in Woods May Be Missing Woman
2 Responses to Urban Forest Find Remains Mystery For Now
I have been a friend of Lois “Susie” White for over ten years and her neighbor for 6 years. If there are any dental records they would only be at Dr. Tyack’s office in Astoria. I do not remember her ever going to the dentist but she has been on the Oregon Health Plan for many years and he is the only dentist that takes Medicaid patients. I do know that she has been to Columbia Memorial Hospital numerous times recently for numerous reasons, one of them being because of the severe vertigo she has suffered all her life.They may have x-rays there that could help. She was my friend and I want to know what happened to her.
Kerri; I thought you announced that Lois White’s body washed up on the beach in Seaside?