Authorities seek help identifying woman found dead near Orange County highway

Authorities are seeking the public's help in identifying a woman found dead near an Orange County highway.

In January 2006, Orange County Sheriff's deputies responded to reports of a body found on Ortega Highway. Also known as Highway 74, this long stretch of road winds through the rural Santa Ana Mountain Range.

Two tourists discovered the woman's body lying about 10 feet under a cliff, according to the Orange County Register.

The woman is described as a Hispanic female between 20 and 30 years old. She weighed approximately 105 pounds and had dark hair down to the middle of her back.

She had a rose stem tattoo on her left forearm, recently manicured nails with a heart-shaped design on each nail, and a surgical scar below her belly button. She was found wearing blue jeans and a black lycra top.

The woman's cause of death has not been determined, but investigators told the OC Register they believe the woman died elsewhere before being left on the side of the road.

Detectives said the woman had a C-section scar that appeared to be of Latin American origin. They noted that cesarean scars in the United States are generally horizontal while the woman's scar was vertical.

A new rendering of the woman was created with the help of a forensic artist from the Miami Dade Police Department, along with images of her tattoo and the design on her nails.

Anyone who may recognize her or has information about the case is asked to contact OC Sheriff's Investigator Lauren Felix at 714-647-4579 or by email at [email protected].

Anonymous tips can be provided to OC Crime Stoppers at 1-855-847-6227 or online at occrimestoppers.org.

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