Autopsies shed new light on identities of 3 women buried in desert

Cathy Scott

Thursday, March 28, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Metro Police have released more detailed descriptions of three Asian women whose bodies were found this week in a shallow grave in the southeast valley.

One woman was 25 to 35 years old, 5 feet 2, with a slender build, brown hair and some strands of gray. She was wearing size 5 women's underpants.

A second woman was also 25 to 35 and 5 feet with a very slender physique and long, dark-brown hair. She was found nude.

The third woman was 35 to 50 years old, 5 feet, with a slender build, dark-brown hair and an upper denture. She was also nude when found.

Autopsies determined that the victims, placed by their assailant in plastic garbage bags and wrapped in packaging tape, all died from strangulation. One also suffered a skull fracture, police said.

Wild dogs or animals partially unearthed part of the first victim. It was discovered Monday evening by off-road riders who noticed a foul smell and discovered a grave dug into the side of a ravine near the Government Wash off Hollywood Boulevard south of Vegas Valley Drive.

Police originally thought at least two of the victims were teenagers, but the coroner determined they were young women.

Detectives this morning contacted the Los Angeles sheriff's department for help, Sgt. Bill Keeton said.

"They have an Asian crime unit and so does the LA Police Department," which detectives also notified, he said.

Also, police have contacted missing persons bureaus and homicide units in an attempt to identify the women.

Anyone with information is urged to notify the homicide section at 229-3521 or Secret Witness at 385-5555.