ID Of Woman Found Dead Floating Along River In 2003 Remains Mystery

DES PLAINES, IL — Police are hoping the public can help solve a nearly 22-year-old mystery involving the discovery of a deceased woman floating in the Skokie River.

On Saturday, July 12, 2003, the woman's body was discovered floating in the Skokie River around a quarter-mile south of Willow Road in the Erickson Woods/Skokie Lagoons area of Northfield and Winnetka. Illinois State Police said the body was located south of Lagoon No. 1 and south of the Dam on the Skokie River, not far from the North Branch Trail System.

Upon removing the body from the water, authorities discovered it was that of a woman of unknown race, and partially clothed. According to the autopsy, this is what's known about the woman:

• Race: Unknown, possibly white, Hispanic or Asian
• Estimated age at time of discovery: 20 to 39 years old (estimated year of birth between 1964 and 1983 — the woman would be between 42 and 61 years old if she were alive today in 2025).
• Height: 5-foot-2
• Weight: 147 pounds (living weight estimated at 100 to 150 pounds)
• Hair: Black or dark-colored, long, straight
• Dental: Dental care was good with only one amalgam restoration (metal filling), and a maxillary four-unit fixed porcelain metal bridge replacing two missing central incisors which were well healed (bridge for two missing, upper front teeth). The dental replacement may have happened as a result of a traumatic injury earlier in the person's life.
• Clothing: Black Lycra shorts (bicyclist-style shorts).
• Jewelry: Scorpion ring

Police are asking anyone with any information regarding a missing person matching the description of this unidentified person, or has any other information which may be helpful, to send them a tip using this web link or please contact ISP Troop 3 at 847-294-4400.