Overview of 1971 Sumter County Jane Doe
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."
Estimated Date of Death: 2 weeks to 30 days prior State of Remains: Not recognizable - Decomposing/putrefaction Cause of Death: Homicide by ligature strangulation
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 Doe Network Case Number: 470UFFL