BY STEVE KEMME
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON -- Authorities have identified the human torso found on the east bank of the Great Miami River in Hamilton as that of a young, white woman.
More details about her identity won't be known until after Butler County Coroner Dr. Richard Burkhardt performs an autopsy this afternoon, said Lt. Anthony Dwyer of the Butler County Sheriff's Department.
After more information is known about the torso, the sheriff's department will look through reports of missing women in the area, he said.
"We'll see if we can match what we know about the torso to the missing women in this area," Lt. Dwyer said.
Two boys were riding bikes on a path along the river at about 6:30 p.m. Monday when they discovered the torso.
The body's arms, legs, head and genitals had been cut off, apparently to prevent her identification, Dr. Burkhardt said.
Forensic anthropologist Dr. Beth Murray, a professor of biology at the College of Mount St. Joseph, will participate in the autopsy today.
Dr. Murray will help determine what the woman's height, weight and age had been, "and anything else she can reveal," said Andy Willis, an investigator in the coroner's office.
"There are a lot of clues there," he said. "You just have to find them."
Mr. Willis said the torso probably had been in the river two to four months.
"We're guessing," he said. "Everybody reacts differently to water. There's no fine way of figuring out how long she had been in water."
Mr. Willis said he has no idea at this point what caused the woman's death.
The investigation's direction depends upon learning the woman's identity, Lt. Dwyer said. The Hamilton Police Department is assisting in the investigation.
"We really don't know much at all right now," Mr. Willis said. "Perhaps (today's autopsy) will reveal more answers -- or more questions." "There are a lot of clues there. You just have to find them. . . . Everybody reacts differently to water. There's no fine way of figuring out how long she had been in water.' -- Andy Willis, investigator in Butler County coroner's office
