41 year old Sumter County Cold Case Takes a New Direction

On February 19, 1971, the body of a white female homicide victim later to become known as “Little Miss Lake Panasoffkee” was discovered under the Lake Panasoffkee Bridge on Interstate 75 at Exit 321 in Sumter County. The victim has remained unidentified ever since, but new scientific testing has allowed detectives to obtain a new composite image of the victim and her clothing hoping that the image and other new information may allow detectives to finally identify the victim.

“Little Miss Lake Panasoffkee” was interred in a Jane Doe marked grave in Oak Grove Cemetery in Wildwood. In 1986, she was exhumed for re-examination and was the subject of an Unsolved Mysteries episode. Detectives obtained her DNA profile that has been entered into national databases should a potential family member come forward. In March 2012, Sumter sheriff’s detectives requested the Anthropology Department at the University of South Florida conduct further testing on the 41 year old remains after learning of the university’s involvement in other bay area cold cases.

The Anthropology Department re-examined the remains and generated a new composite image of the victim and that of her clothing worn at the time of her death. At the time of her death, she was between 17-24 years of age, approximately 5’02”-5’05” tall, weighed approximately 110-120 lbs. and had dark colored hair and brown eyes. She was wearing plaid green pants, a matching solid green shirt, and a shawl with green and yellow print.

She had a Baylor wrist watch on her left hand, a yellow gold ring with clear stone on her left ring finger, and a small, thin yellow gold necklace.

The victim’s teeth were examined by the Geological Sciences Department at the University of Florida. The conclusion of the analysis determined that the victim is possibly of Greek descent and most probably had come to the United States ten to twelve months before her death. Further testing determined the victim’s teeth contained a high level of Pb (lead) that may link the victim to the small town of Lavrion, which is located approximately 60 miles southeast of Athens, Greece. Lavrion is known for its high level of lead contamination associated with
mining operations in the region.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Darren Norris at the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office at
(352) 569-1617 or by email at dnorris@sumtercountysheriff.org.