COLUMBUS, Indiana — Detectives from the Columbus Police Department are investigating the death of an unidentified woman who was found Monday night on Interstate 65 near the 64.5-mile marker.
Columbus police officers were dispatched to the northbound lanes of Interstate 65 at 8:45 p.m. regarding a deceased woman on the shoulder of the roadway, said Lt. Matt Harris, department spokesman.
Officers located the woman’s body a short time later, and described her as Hispanic with a lip piercing who was 20 to 30 years old. She was wearing a maroon sweatshirt, tan pants and black tennis shoes. Detectives are working to determine the woman’s identity, Harris said.
Bartholomew County Coroner Clayton Nolting said early this morning that a forensic autopsy conducted Tuesday determined the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the chest and abdomen. The manner of death is still under investigation, Nolting said.
Toxicology tests are pending in the case.
The woman was found on what is commonly known as the “rumble strip” which is a portion of rough pavement that warns drivers they are leaving the roadway, Harris said. No vehicle was at the scene. Officers are working on several possible scenarios about how the woman arrived at the location including possibilities she was walking on the interstate or dropped off there for some reason, he said.
The department has received several tips so far, but nothing that has led to an identity, he said.
Late Tuesday afternoon, the department released photos of two distinctive tattoos the woman had in the hopes they might lead to a tip on her identity. To view the PDF of photos of the tattoos, click here: Tattoos
Anyone who was traveling in the area between 8 and 8:45 p.m. Monday evening and observed a vehicle parked on or near the interstate or a woman matching the description walking in the area is urged to contact the Columbus Police Department at 812-376-2600. Tips and information can be left anonymously.
