Reconstructions of the victim by the University of South Florida, Judy Reimer and Carl Koppelman; sketch and age regressions by Linda Galeener; reconstructed images of victim's clothing.
Reconstructions of the victim by the University of South Florida, Judy Reimer and Carl Koppelman; sketch and age regressions by Linda Galeener; reconstructed images of victim's clothing.
Date of Discovery: February 19, 1971
Location of Discovery: Lake Panasoffkee, Sumter County, Florida
Estimated Date of Death: 2 weeks to 30 days prior
State of Remains: Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction
Cause of Death: Homicide by ligature strangulation
Estimated Age: 17-24 years old
Race: White
Gender: Female
Height: 5'0" to 5'5"
Weight: 110-120 lbs.
Hair Color: Brown, long and straight.
Eye Color: Possibly brown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Orthopedic surgery had been performed on her right ankle due to instability in the ankle. The procedure, known as a "Watson-Jones" technique, involved drilling two small holes in the ankle bone and winding a tendon through them. The surgery probably occurred between 1967 and 1970. She had given birth to at least one child, possibly more. Periostitis (inflammation of tissue around a bone) was found on her lower right leg in the process of healing. Harris lines were observed on her bones, indicating she experienced an illness and/or malnutrition that affected her growth earlier in life. Perimortem fractures were also observed on ribs one and three.
Dentals: Available. Extensive dental work, including several silver fillings and a porcelain crown on one of her top middle teeth.
Fingerprints: Not available.
DNA: Available.
Clothing: A shawl with a green and white print; plaid green pants; a solid green shirt
Jewelry: A white gold ladies Baylor wrist watch on her left hand, a yellow gold ring with a clear stone on her left ring finger and a small/thin gold necklace.
Additional Personal Items: Unknown
The victim's decomposed body was spotted in Lake Panasoffkee by two hitchhikers crossing the Panasoffkee bridge on February 19, 1971. Police were notified and it was quickly determined that the girl had been strangled by a man's size 36 belt, which was still around her throat. Authorities believe she was murdered else where and dumped off the bridge.
The victim came to the United States within ten months and two years prior to her death (previously believed to be one or three months before). It has been determined that she was of Greek descent and could have arrived in the U.S. directly from there just prior to her death. It is also possible that she could have come from or been directly related to Greek residents of Lavrion, Greece, based on dental testing.
The woman's remains were exhumed in 1986 for additional examination after she was buried in in the Oak Grove Cemetery in Wildwood, Florida and was later featured on an episode of Unsolved Mysteries. She is known as "Little Miss Lake Panasoffkee."
Agency Name: Sumter County Sheriffs Office
Agency Contact Person: Detective Darren Norris
Agency Phone Number: 1-352-569-1600
Agency E-Mail: dnorris(at)sumtercountysheriff.org
Agency Case Number: 71-0291
Agency Name: District 5 Medical Examiner
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 1-352-326-5961
Agency E-Mail: dona.faber(at)marioncountyfl.org
Agency Case Number: A-10-71
NCIC Case Number: U276515052
NamUs Case Number: 6040
NCMEC Case Number: 1202391
NamUs
University of South Florida
NCMEC
Wikipedia
Hellbeasts - A Blog about Crime and Injustice
Daily Sun
Unsolved Mysteries
Added: 12/12/2005; Last Updated: 10/4/17
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information may be estimated.
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