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The woman's body was found nearly three decades ago, floating in a canal near a sewage treatment plant in Salt Lake City.
Her body was decomposed to a nearly skeletal state, the handmade lace blouse and jeans she was wearing were also deteriorating.
There was no DNA testing back then, and her body was quickly processed by police and released to be cremated within days of the discovery.
Now, 29 years later, Salt Lake City police say they are no closer to figuring out who the woman was or how she ended up dead in the canal near 1850 N. Redwood Road. But they are hoping the public may be able to help them find out who she was.
"It's very frustrating," Detective Hilary Gordon said at news conference Monday. "Because I think this case could have been solved if we had the technology then that we have now."
Police officials on Monday released photographs of clothing and items found near the woman's body, which was spotted by a sewage worker on Sept. 3, 1986. They are hoping the items may jog someone's memory of a friend, neighbor, co-worker or employee who disappeared in the summer or fall of that year.
When the body was found, Gordon said the woman was wearing a long-sleeve white blouse, pocketless jeans, a black wristwatch and a size 7.5 ring. On the bank near her body, police found a handmade blue polka dot dress with lace cuffs and collar, and a purple striped plastic bracelet that unclips into a pen. Based on the handmade clothing and style, the detective said it could be possible that the woman was part of a polygamous community.
Gordon said it is not clear how the woman died. A medical examiner determined in 1986 that the death was "suspicious," but did not make any other conclusion.
"There was nothing obvious," Gordon said. "There were no gunshot wounds to the body, no stab marks to what was left of her body. Nothing in that regard."
But the detective said police believe the woman's body was dumped in the area of the sewage plant, and that she died elsewhere.
"It's a secure area," Gordon said. "You would have to get through a fence to get there."
Police believe the woman was between 20-40 years old, about 5-foot-5 and weighed about 115 pounds. She was white, but police were unable to identify her hair color.
Gordon said they have tried testing the dress, the watch and some of the other items for DNA — but the water the body was in had washed away any possible DNA matches.
Police have had no new leads on the case since the body was discovered, according to Gordon. She said she has been working on the case for the past few years and has had time recently to look closer into the woman's death.
The detective said she believes finding out who the woman was could help bring closure to the victim's family.
Anyone who has any information can contact Gordon directly at 801-799-3454. Anonymous tips can also be sent via text to 274637 using the keyword TIPSLCPD.