Body was in yard for months

Jen Lawson

Wednesday, July 23, 2003 | 9:31 a.m.

The body found buried in a back yard Monday in the historic John S. Park neighborhood could have been there for more than three months, an autopsy performed Tuesday showed.

Examiners determined the victim is a man, but his identity remains unknown, Homicide Sgt. Mike Thompson said. The advanced decomposition of the body is hindering investigators' progress in determining when and how the man died and who he is.

"He's been there several months, probably two or three or longer," Thompson said.

He is described as white, between the ages of 30 and 50 with bad teeth and numerous tattoos covering his body. He was discovered buried about a foot deep in the dirt behind a house in the 1200 block of Eighth Place, near Eighth Street and Charleston Boulevard.

The owner of the house, Anna Linda Mitchel, 36, was arrested Monday and charged with murder.

She had her first appearance in court this morning before Justice of the Peace Michael C. Van. Deputy Public Defender Will Ewing was appointed to represent her, and formal complaint was scheduled to be filed Monday

Hoping that the public might be able to help identify the victim, Metro homicide detectives released descriptions of the man's tattoos:

Detectives plan to go to tattoo shops to see if anyone recognizes the tattoos, Thompson said.

"We are certainly hoping someone who knows this gentleman will come forward," he said.

Detectives would like to talk to a black woman named Tina, described as a friend of Mitchel. Detectives believe Mitchel asked her for help in moving the body. She is not considered a suspect, Thompson said, and detectives are asking her to contact detectives. Tina drives a white Ford Focus, police said.

Anyone with information on the identity of the victim or the whereabouts of Tina is asked to call Metro's homicide section at 229-3521.

Staff writer

Afsha Bawany contributed to this report.