Crime & Safety

Woman's Burned Body ID'd

Identity of woman whose burning body was found in Salisbury Township was confirmed today through DNA testing, Lehigh County Coroner says.

The identity of a woman whose body was found burning last month in Salisbury Township was confirmed today through DNA testing, according to Lehigh County Coroner Scott Grim.

She is Jennifer Velez-Negron, 26, of Reading, Grim said.

Investigators received clues after they released a detailed description of the body a day after it was found burning on Dec. 27 in a wooded residential area behind the Unami Fish and Game Association, 75 Chestnut Hill Road.

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Velez-Negron, who died from suffocation and thermal injuries, was burned beyond recognition but some distinguishing characteristics were discovered during the autopsy. One was a tattoo that said "Javi" on the right side of her neck.

"However, this alone was not enough to make the positive identification. Fingerprints and dental comparisons were not available, either," the coroner said in a news release.

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After the description was released, "with the assistance of the media and the public, we were placed in contact with possible family members," the release said.

The Lehigh County Coroner's Office, Salisbury Township Police and the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force met with family members that evening and DNA samples were collected from them.

Police are continuing their investigation into who killed Velez-Negron and ask that anyone who may have information about her to please contact Salisbury police at 610-797-1447 or the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force at 610-437-5252.


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