Head of missing woman sculpted

A forensic artist has created a clay reconstruction using the skull of a woman hikers found last September in the forest north of Nevada City.

This is the latest step in determining the dead woman's identity with the help of Natalie Sweet, a Silicon Valley police officer and composite artist who also used the skull to create a sketch of the woman's face last month.

Investigators will distribute pictures of the sculpture to regional and nationwide law enforcement agencies, Nevada County Sheriff's Lt. Bill Evans said.

Investigators estimated the remains had been there for at least six months when they were found off Highway 20.

A forensic pathologist, a forensic anthropologist and a dentist have examined the skull and bone fragments. They determined the remains belonged to a woman of Asian descent at least 30 years old.

Detectives also compared the skull's dental chart with information in a Department of Justice missing persons database, and they could not find a match.

"We've had no solid leads," Evans said.

Sheriff Keith Royal encourages anyone with information about the woman's identity to call the sheriff's investigations unit at 265-1263 or the crime tip line at 470-2400.

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To contact Staff Writer Robyn Moormeister, e-mail robynm@theunion.com or call 477-4236.