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#Post#: 8820--------------------------------------------------
Re: LAKE PANASOFFKEE JANE DOE: WF, 17-24, found under bridge - F
eb 1971
By: Akoya Date: September 3, 2020, 2:43 pm
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HTML http://z10.invisionfree.com/usedtobedoe/ar/t6584.htm
HTML http://z10.invisionfree.com/usedtobedoe/ar/t6584.htm
HTML http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/article...news/news02.txt
HTML http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/articles/2006/10/08/news/news02.txt
Little miss Panasoffkee
By DAN SULLIVAN, DAILY SUN
LAKE PANASOFFKEE The Lake Panasoffkee bridge is a forgettable
span that thousands of travelers cross every day.
There is little to distinguish this half-mile section of
Interstate 75 from the rest of the highway. Thick trees line
both sides of the bridge, giving little indication that there is
water underneath. Travelers speed past, likely never giving the
bridge or the lake beneath it a second thought.
However nondescript the bridge may be, countless travelers have
given it a deadly history that has left a mark on Sumter County.
Before the bridge was widened to accommodate the traffic flow,
fatalities were a common occurrence.
But perhaps the best-known fatality on the bridge was not the
result of an accident.
On Feb. 19, 1971, two hitchhikers were walking on the side of
the northbound lanes of the bridge when they noticed the body of
a young woman floating in the water below. The hitchhikers
flagged down a Sumter County sheriff's deputy, beginning what
has now become one of Sumter County's oldest homicide
investigations.
Thirty-five years later, Sumter County sheriff's Capt. Gary
Brannen thumbs through the contents of a cardboard box marked
"Little Miss Panasoffkee," which contains the entire case file
on the still-unidentified woman.
"We don't necessarily hold out a whole lot of hope of solving
who killed Miss Panasoffkee," Brannen said, using the name
former sheriff James Adams gave the woman in the 1980s. "Our
best hope is that we will find out who she was. That's what we
really want to do. She's somebody�s child. They're still
worried about that child, not knowing what happened to her, and
we'd like to put that to rest."
The accepted theory
"Little Miss Panasoffkee" was found with a man's size 36 leather
belt looped twice around her neck, and investigators determined
the cause of death was strangulation.
"It appeared that she had been murdered, maybe in a car as it
was being driven down the road, or killed at some point in time,
and brought there and dumped out, off the bridge," Brannen said.
"Even then, it was a well-traveled roadway. It very well may
have been just somebody passing through that did this and then
dumped the body."
Forensic anthropologist William Maples of the University of
Florida examined the remains after they were exhumed in 1986.
Maples concluded that the woman was most likely between the ages
of 18 and 19 when she died. She could have been as old as 23.
"Little Miss Panasoffkee" was Caucasian, but facial features
indicate that she may have had some Native American ancestry.
"This person had been taken care of at some point in time,"
Brannen said. He noted that X-rays of the remains revealed that
the woman had undergone dental work to include fillings in
several teeth. Maples also found evidence that the woman had
possibly gone through two pregnancies, giving investigators
reason to believe that the woman still has family somewhere.
"We believe it's a person who is disenfranchised from her
family. They're not in the family fold, so to speak," Brannen
said.
"People come to Florida even today. A lot of them come here for
the wrong reasons, because they think that everybody in Florida
lives on the beach and there's all sorts of jobs available," he
said. "Really, Florida can be a very treacherous place for
people who are not familiar with it and are somewhat naive."
Perhaps Maples' most peculiar find was evidence of orthopedic
surgery to the woman's right ankle.
"Her right ankle had orthopedic surgery and the technique that
was used in it was called the Watson-Jones technique," Brannen
said.
"We believe that the surgery occurred probably between 1967 and
1970. This was something that we really thought would give us a
very good chance of doing something," he said. "We thought that
was a very good clue that we got out at that time in 1986 to the
orthopedic community through medical journals and such, to see
if possibly somebody had done surgery on someone and then later
on that person went missing. Again, that didn't give us
anything, but we're still hopeful."
When the investigation began, many tips investigators received
came from people who believed the girl may have been their
runaway daughter, Brannen said. In contrast, he said, most of
the leads that investigators receive today are from people who
believe the woman may be their mother, whom they have not seen
for many years.
Investigators combed missing persons files from around the
country, but no match was ever made. Likewise, no strong
suspects in the murder have ever been identified.
"Thirty-five years of work and we don't have any more of an idea
of who she is today than we did in 1971," Brannen said. "It's
one of those cases that still haunts us."
Reasons for hope
One major obstacle that has hampered the investigation from the
beginning was the lack of resources that were available in
Sumter County in the early 1970s.
"Our laboratory resources were not what they are today. The
media was not as accessible. The Internet wasn't there," Brannen
said. "There were all sorts of things back then that hampered an
investigation. But they did as best as they could back then with
what they had.
"The good news is that we were able to send the bones recently
to the FBI in Washington, and they were able to extract some
DNA," he said. "So if we do come to a good lead to where we
believe that this person could be a relative of Miss
Panasoffkee, we can take DNA samples and send them to the FBI to
see if they're included in that."
In addition to the availability of DNA technology, recent plans
to develop a statewide cold case team, utilizing resources from
law enforcement agencies from across Florida, have been set in
motion. The idea of developing what is known as a Cold Case
Review Assessment Team in Florida is something that was
spearheaded by Sumter County officials following their work with
the cold case team run by the Texas Sheriff's Association.
Sumter County sheriff's officials sought the help of the Texas
team during their investigation of the 2000 murder of
72-year-old Margarita Ruiz and her 45-year-old daughter
Esperanza Wells in the rural community of Tarrytown, near
Webster. After the homicide had been classified as a cold case
for six years, investigators earlier this year were able to
identify a Wisconsin man as the individual who allegedly shot
and stabbed the two women to death.
Brannen said the Texas team developed a profile of the
perpetrator in that case that was revealed to be very accurate
once the case was solved.
"We didn't solve our case directly as a result of what they told
us," Brannen said, "but when we did solve it, the profile they
gave us was 100 percent accurate. They said it was a paranoid
schizophrenic in a delusion, at least 25 years old, and that's
what it was."
Once the team is started, agencies from all over Florida will be
able to bring their own cold cases to the team in Tallahassee,
which will meet two to three times a year. The team will examine
evidence and report on what they believe needs to be done in
order to move the case forward.
"Sometimes the best thing for one of these cases is a fresh set
of eyes," Brannen said.
"This cold case assessment team concept is profilers, laboratory
people, investigators, forensic crime scene people, a medical
examiner who all get together and start listening and
round-tabling this case," he said. "Before you know it, the
detectives who make this presentation have two or three pages of
notes to go back and work with to breathe life back into a cold
case."
"There's that kind of talent here in Florida," Brannen said.
"It's just a matter of getting that talent all in one place at
the same time."
Even without the benefit of state assistance, the Sumter County
Sheriff's Office has had exceptional luck in solving cold cases.
In addition to the Ruiz-Wells homicide, in the past year alone
two other cold homicide cases were solved, the oldest from 1987.
"From what I understand from larger agencies, they wish they
could do three," Brannen said. "You just never know. We're
hoping that at some point in time somebody is going to come
forward."
Dan Sullivan is a reporter with the Daily Sun. He can be reached
at 753-1119, ext. 9059, or
[email=dan.sullivan@thevillagesmedia.com]dan.sullivan@thevillage
smedia.com[/email].
#Post#: 8821--------------------------------------------------
Re: LAKE PANASOFFKEE JANE DOE: WF, 17-24, found under bridge - F
eb 1971
By: Akoya Date: September 3, 2020, 2:45 pm
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HTML http://z10.invisionfree.com/usedtobedoe/ar/t6584.htm
HTML http://z10.invisionfree.com/usedtobedoe/ar/t6584.htm
HTML http://www.sumtercountysheriff.org/coldcases.asp
HTML http://www.sumtercountysheriff.org/coldcases.asp
Case No: 1971-0291, Little Miss Lake Panasoffkee
Synopsis: On February 19, 1971, the body of a white female
homicide victim was discovered under the Lake Panasoffkee Bridge
at Interstate 75 in Sumter County. The victim has never been
identified.
In March 2012, Sumter sheriff's detectives requested the
Anthropology Department at the University of South Florida
conduct further testing on the 41 year old remains after
learning of the university's involvement in other bay area cold
cases. The Anthropology Department re-examined the remains and
generated a new composite image of the victim and that of her
clothing worn at the time of her death. Those new images are
listed above. At the time of her death, she was between 17-24
years of age, approximately 5'02"-5'05" tall, weighed
approximately 110-120 lbs. and had dark colored hair and brown
eyes. She was wearing plaid green pants, a matching solid green
shirt, and a shawl with green and yellow print. She had a Baylor
wrist watch on her left hand, a yellow gold ring with clear
stone on her left ring finger, and a small, thin yellow gold
necklace.
The victim's teeth were examined by the Geological Sciences
Department at the University of Florida. The conclusion of the
analysis determined that the victim is possibly of Greek descent
and most probably had come to the United States ten to twelve
months before her death. Further testing determined the victim's
teeth contained a high level of Pb (lead) that may link the
victim to the small town of Lavrion, which is located
approximately 60 miles southeast of Athens, Greece. Lavrion is
known for its high level of lead contamination associated with
mining operations in the region.
Anyone with any possible information, please contact Sumter
County Sheriff's Office Detective Darren Norris at 352-569-1617
/ 352-569-1600 or by email at
[email=dnorris@sumtercountysheriff.org]dnorris@sumtercountysheri
ff.org[/email].
#Post#: 8822--------------------------------------------------
Re: LAKE PANASOFFKEE JANE DOE: WF, 17-24, found under bridge - F
eb 1971
By: Akoya Date: September 3, 2020, 2:46 pm
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This is Google's cache of
HTML http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00028420/00580
HTML http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00028420/00580
She wore a small, thin, yellow neck chain, a yellow ring with a
clear stone on the right hand, a yellow metal watch (17-jewel
Baylor) with a repaired metal band on her left wrist.
If the metal band on the watch had been repaired, it was
probably not a new watch. The watch may have actually belonged
to her mother or mother-in-law.
#Post#: 8823--------------------------------------------------
Re: LAKE PANASOFFKEE JANE DOE: WF, 17-24, found under bridge - F
eb 1971
By: Akoya Date: September 3, 2020, 2:48 pm
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Makronisos Island with Lavrion in the distance
[img]
HTML https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTgs4YF477e7Y8HoJrCAWaW-_yevqEFn3_rVqioSAY3jhpPHNc8[/img]
[img]
HTML https://crimewatchers.net/forum/index.php?attachments/upload_2017-4-27_13-29-21-jpeg.19772/[/img]<br
/>
[img]
HTML https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTVn5mtMpto4qoynaijTqEK0up0_lXxfZfGgACe9l_c6jrx3UJI[/img]
HTML https://i.imgur.com/UigUq3G.jpg
#Post#: 8824--------------------------------------------------
Re: LAKE PANASOFFKEE JANE DOE: WF, 17-24, found under bridge - F
eb 1971
By: Akoya Date: September 3, 2020, 2:49 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
If Jane Doe was thrown from the I-75 bridge during the beginning
of January, her murderer likely had a very limited time frame to
discard her. I-75 is the main north/south highway for the west
coast of Florida. During the beginning of January, the highway
is notoriously crowded, 24/7, with snowbirds from northern
states driving to Florida after Christmas.
[img]
HTML https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRJk6XiekKGEuq8NYZ-Gw-bOGYgaWEmyGJ23x7Ip1rFZE6Oft-B2A[/img]
HTML https://i.imgur.com/BfJZLFw.gif
#Post#: 8825--------------------------------------------------
Re: LAKE PANASOFFKEE JANE DOE: WF, 17-24, found under bridge - F
eb 1971
By: Akoya Date: September 3, 2020, 2:50 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
This is the section of I-75 where Jane Doe's murderer dumped her
body.
[img]
HTML http://www.crimewatchers.net/forum/index.php?attachments/upload_2017-4-22_15-52-14-jpeg.19645/[/img]
Interstate 75 South at Exit 321: CR 470 - Sumterville / Lake
Panasoffkee
HTML https://i.imgur.com/geopJEq.jpg
Interstate 75 south prepares to cross over the swamp and marsh
areas surrounding Lake Panasoffkee as it gets closer to Sumter
County 470 and Exit 321.
#Post#: 8827--------------------------------------------------
Re: LAKE PANASOFFKEE JANE DOE: WF, 17-24, found under bridge - F
eb 1971
By: Akoya Date: September 3, 2020, 2:58 pm
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HTML http://www.sumtercountysheriff.org/getinvolved/coldcases.php?cidx=1
Little Miss Lake Panasoffkee 1971-0291
LAKE PANASOFFKEE JANE DOE: WF, 17-24, found under bridge - Feb
1971 Panasoffkee1Synopsis: On February 19, 1971, the body of a
white female homicide victim was discovered under the Lake
Panasoffkee Bridge at Interstate 75 in Sumter County. The victim
has never been identified.
Little Miss Lake Panasoffkee In March 2012, Sumter sheriff's
detectives requested the Anthropology Department at the
University of South Florida conduct further testing on the 41
year old remains after learning of the university's involvement
in other bay area cold cases. The Anthropology Department
re-examined the remains and generated a new composite image of
the victim and that of her clothing worn at the time of her
death. Those new images are listed above. At the time of her
death, she was between 17-24 years of age, approximately
5'02"-5'05" tall, weighed approximately 110-120 lbs. and had
dark colored hair and brown eyes. She was wearing plaid green
pants, a matching solid green shirt, and a shawl with green and
yellow print. She had a Baylor wrist watch on her left hand, a
yellow gold ring with clear stone on her left ring finger, and a
small, thin yellow gold necklace.
Little Miss Lake Panasoffkee The victim's teeth were examined by
the Geological Sciences Department at the University of Florida.
The conclusion of the analysis determined that the victim is
possibly of Greek descent and most probably had come to the
United States ten to twelve months before her death. Further
testing determined the victim's teeth contained a high level of
Pb (lead) that may link the victim to the small town of Lavrion,
which is located approximately 60 miles southeast of Athens,
Greece. Lavrion is known for its high level of lead
contamination associated with mining operations in the region.
LAKE PANASOFFKEE JANE DOE: WF, 17-24, found under bridge - Feb
1971 Panasoffkee2Anyone with any possible information, please
contact Sumter County Sheriff's Office Detective Darren Norris
at (352)569-1617 or (352)569-1600 or by email at
dnorris@sumtercountysheriff.org.
#Post#: 8828--------------------------------------------------
Re: LAKE PANASOFFKEE JANE DOE: WF, 17-24, found under bridge - F
eb 1971
By: Akoya Date: September 3, 2020, 3:00 pm
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HTML https://i.imgur.com/xPDWLDf.gif
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