Authorities Monday circulated photos of jewelry they hope will provide clues to help identify a woman who died in a fiery crash on the Hollywood (101) Freeway in the Hollywood area 20 years ago.
The crash occurred on the southbound freeway at Western Avenue about 11 p.m. on Nov. 17, 1999, said Sarah Ardalani of the coroner’s office.
The woman was driving a maroon 1985 Mitsubishi Galant that became disabled in the number three lane and was rear-ended by another vehicle, Ardalani said.
“Due to the extent of a fire that was caused by the collision, the woman’s body was unrecognizable,” Ardalani said. “When authorities attempted to identify the woman through the car license plate, they discovered the person it was registered to had sold the car a few months prior. Additionally, the car seller no longer had information on who they sold the vehicle to. Moreover, the buyer of the vehicle never updated their information with the Department of Motor Vehicles.”
The woman’s identity remains a mystery, and she has been listed as “Jane Doe No. 49.”
She is believed to have been between 18 and 35 years old, possibly between 5 feet and 5 feet 6 inches tall, and weighed about 145 pounds. Her race, hair and eye color are unknown.
“At the time she was found, the woman had on a necklace with a clear Hershey Kiss-shaped pendant with a twisted yellow metal chain,” Ardalani said. “Additionally, she wore a yellow metal Claddagh ring with a clear heart-shaped stone and clear round stone.”
Authorities released photos of the jewelry, and urged anyone with information on the woman’s identity to call 323-343-0754. Callers should reference coroner’s case number 1999-07845.