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Law enforcement officials are asking for the public's help in identifying a woman who was apparently shot to death in Jordanelle State Park.
The woman had no identification on her, and so far no witnesses have come forward. Tonight the park is closed and considered a crime scene. Investigators have wrapped up for the night, but they'll be back Sunday to go over the scene one more time.
On Friday, visitors to Jordanelle State Park saw footprints and followed them to find a woman leaning against the visitor's center. She was shot in the stomach and in the leg.
Deena Loyola, spokeswoman for Utah State Parks, said, "We estimate the incident occurred between 2 and 4 p.m. The victim was found a little after 4:00."
The victim was flown to a Salt Lake hospital but died that night. The woman never regained consciousness and never was able to tell investigators what happened or even her name.
"We don't know who she is. There was no identification found on her," Loyola said.
Investigators found few clues left near the visitor's center. "This is definitely the off season. We do get people coming in to do some fishing and wildlife viewing, but there's very little traffic," Loyola explained.
Investigators expect to be done with the crime scene Sunday. Due to a delay in snow removal, the park may not reopen for a couple of more days.
Investigators describe the victim as a Caucasian woman in her early- to mid-20s with shoulder-length brown hair. She's five feet seven inches tall and about 130 pounds. She was wearing a pink sweater-jacket, jeans and sneakers.
Officials want to bring her family closure. "It's very traumatic," Loyola said, "and our hearts go out to the friends and family of this person."
If you have any information on this case, Utah Parks has set up a tip line. That number is 801-673-5791.
E-mail: sdallof@ksl.com
