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WASHINGTON COUNTY — Washington County Sheriff’s detectives investigating the death of a female found Aug. 25 near the Virgin River and later identified as an Oklahoma woman are seeking the public’s help.
The remains, discovered in southwest Washington County near the Virgin River Aug. 25, were later identified as 32-year-old Elizabeth Carol Celeste Chatman of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The remains were sent to the medical examiner for identification and autopsy, but the cause of death could not be determined due to the advanced state of decomposition, Lt. Dave Crouse said
Detectives have been conducting a criminal investigation, which is typical in an unattended death until foul play can be ruled out.
According to information released Wednesday, the criminal investigation is still ongoing, and detectives are seeking information on anyone who may have seen or had contact with Chatman during July and August.
Additionally, although the medical examiner was unable to determine the cause of death, Crouse said that “the circumstances of where Chatman was located are suspicious.”
Chatman was described as a black female, 5 feet 5 inches tall, 170 pounds with several tattoos, most recognizably, a large anatomically correct heart on the center of her chest, as well as flowers tattooed on her back, a sleeve of flowers on her left arm, a skull on her right ankle and a heart with flowers on her right arm.