Facial reconstruction leads to ID of woman found at Lake Berryessa

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Johnethel McGehee, 47, has been identified as the woman whose body was found dumped near a Lake Berryessa road some two months ago. A forensic artist completed a facial reconstruction sculpture of McGehee's face, and the daughter saw that on a news report, leading to the identification. | Buy photos
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A forensic artist did this sculpture of the face of a woman whose body was found near Lake Berryessa in early May 2009. The sculpture led to the identification of 47-year-old Johnethel McGehee. | Buy photos

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

Comment

By DAN ROSS
Register Online Editor

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11:45 a.m.A facial reconstruction bust of a woman whose body was found dumped alongside a Lake Berryessa roadway nearly two months ago has led to the identification of the woman.

Johnethel McGehee, 47, has been identified by the woman’s daughter, who according to law enforcement saw her mother’s bust on a news report on June 23.

McGehee is primarily from the Oakland area, but has ties to San Francisco, San Leandro and other Bay Area cities, according to the Napa County Sheriff’s Department. She has no ties to Napa County.

The sheriff’s department is still looking to the public for help in learning what happened to McGehee.

Check back later in the day for more on this story.

7 comment(s)

napachica wrote on Jul 1, 2009 12:27 PM:

" AMAZING! I am just in shock about the turn around time for identifying this women. Kudos to the women who reconstructed the face. "

midvalley wrote on Jul 1, 2009 1:06 PM:

" Wow. That is a very close reconstruction. I hope now they can find the person that has committed this heinous crime. "

what the french, toast? wrote on Jul 1, 2009 4:57 PM:

" WOW! WOW! WOW! What an amazing facial reconstruction from the forensic artist, and how close it resembles the woman who was identified. It gave me the chills... Hats off to the forensic artist. "

mamyt wrote on Jul 1, 2009 6:05 PM:

" Do we know the cause of death? Let me guess "you do not suspect foul play" "

thoughtank wrote on Jul 1, 2009 8:14 PM:

" I too am amazed at the startling resemblance! What an extraordinary job the artist did in capturing the victim, Johnethel McGehee. It's almost as if the victim were crying out for justice as this artist worked, rendering her humanity to life.

I sure hope this helps in the capture of the perpetrator. I know that it has a least brought some answers for the family regarding Ms. McGehee's disappearance.

It really brings to light how our society must never give up on preventing violence and by upholding justice for victims.

God bless the family in their grief. Thanks to the artist and the law enforcement officers who worked on this case. may Ms. McGehee rest in peace. "

Normbc9 wrote on Jul 2, 2009 8:16 AM:

" This is another testimony to the training and professionalism our local law enforcement personnel have been provided. It also shows that when the elements of time, thoroughness and proper resources are allowed what can be accomplished successfully. This paved the road to successfully identifying the female victim. The entire circumstance including the chance sighting initially by a Deputy is remarkable. "

Trevira wrote on Jul 2, 2009 10:47 PM:

" WOW! I know her! I have not seen her in years!! I know her sister, niece, mother and brothers. Her niece and I went to catholic school together. She was a really good person and very beautiful!! I know her family truly misses her.

Thank you to the artists that did an OUTSTANDING job.

I wish her children and family the best. Peace and Love, Trevira "

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