Coroner Positively Identifies Body As Shakira
Clothes Found In Field Belong To Missing Girl
UPDATED: 3:11 pm EDT October 20,
2003
CLEVELAND -- Cuyahoga County Coroner Elilzabeth Balraj said Monday that DNA tests showed that the body found at East 71st Street and Aetna is 11-year-old Shakira Johnson.
Testing is being done to determine the cause of death and whether a sexual assault occurred.According to Balraj, decomposition left some bones exposed and separated the head and legs from the torso.The family of the missing girl had been waiting since Wednesday for the official word. As news of the coroner's identification trickled through the neighborhood, people began gathering near the warehouse just east of downtown. People created a makeshift memorial that includes hundreds of stuffed animals, flowers, balloons and candles.Shakira had been missing for about a month after last being seen at a block party. Last night, hundreds of people turned out for a candlelight vigil for the 11-year-old.Shakira's mother, Alisa Randle, also identified clothes found at the scene as her daughter's.Refresh this page often for updates and watch Live on Five for the latest on the coroner's ruling.
Previous Stories:
- October 17, 2003: Friends, Strangers Offer Prayers For Shakira And Family
- October 17, 2003: Tipster Likely Left DNA On Pay Phone
- October 17, 2003: Coroner Says Body Appears To Be Shakira
- October 15, 2003: Small, Decomposed Body Found On Cleveland's East Side
- October 3, 2003: Man In Red Car Allegedly Makes Sexual Advances Toward Kids
- September 30, 2003: Van Could Be Key To Shakira's Disappearance
- September 29, 2003: When Should Amber Alert Be Issued?
- September 26, 2003: Police Search Whiskey Island For Clues To Missing Girl
- September 25, 2003: Missing-Girl Investigators Search Homes, Tow Man's Car
- September 22, 2003: 20 Officers, 20 FBI Agents Search For Missing Girl
Copyright 2004 by NewsNet5. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.











