Reconstruction of the victim; victim's ring.
Reconstruction of the victim; victim's ring.
Date of Discovery: March 23, 1993
Location of Discovery: Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County, Florida
Estimated Date of Death: Same day
State of Remains: Not recognizable - Charred/burned
Cause of Death: Homicide by strangulation
Estimated Age: 33-45 years old
Race: White (possibly native to South America, based on dental work)
Sex: Female
Height: 5'4" to 5'6"
Weight: 120-135 lbs.
Hair Color: Long and blond, possibly dyed.
Eye Color: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Toenails were painted red.
Dentals: Available. Posts and root canals. Silver caps on her lower and upper back teeth. It seemed like some of the dental work had been done in South America.
Fingerprints: Available.
DNA: Available.
Clothing: White t-shirt with the word "Sweet" in orange above each of several green hearts. It is possible a cartoon design was also featured on the shirt. She also wore pants (description unavailable).
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Two rings an oval ring with a lavender rose on a white stone, of sterling silver, and another that looked like ivory with a painted design of a bird emerging from a flower.
The victim was located in a wooded vacant lot at the corner of 74th Street and Dickens Avenue on Miami Beach, FL in March 1993.
Julio Cesar Ortiz was convicted of killing her. He did not know who she was.
Ortiz said he grabbed the woman by the throat for about two minutes and held on. He went to a gas station to buy gas. He returned to the scene and poured gas on the woman, not knowing whether she was dead or alive. He used a lighter to set her ablaze.
He and the woman had been together for two or three days before the slaying, possibly smoking crack cocaine. She apparently lived on the streets. The wooded lot is known as a frequent hangout for homeless people. There were several cans scattered around that had been used as crack pipes.
Agency Name: Miami-Dade County Medical Examiner
Agency Contact Person: Brittney McLaurin
Agency Phone Number: 305-545-2400 or 305-545-2460
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: 1993-0856
Agency Name: Miami Beach Police Department
Agency Contact Person: N/A
Agency Phone Number: 305-673-7776
Agency E-Mail: N/A
Agency Case Number: 93-9891
NCIC Case Number: Unknown
NamUs Case Number: 1143
NamUs
FLUIDDB
The Miami Herald
Added: 3/7/07; Last Updated: 12/11/17
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information may be estimated.
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