By Joe Capozzi

 

Ocean Ridge police are investigating the death of a young woman whose body was found Aug. 12 in a vacant lot just east of the Ocean Avenue bridge leading to Boynton Beach.

 

Although police have identified the body, they are not releasing her name without permission from her parents, who were too distraught to make that decision when they were notified of her death on Aug. 22, Police Chief Richard Jones told The Coastal Star.

 

The woman is not from Ocean Ridge but she is a Palm Beach County resident between 18 and 25 years old, Jones said. 

 

Her body had been laying in a vacant lot at 21 E. Ocean Avenue for two to six days before being discovered around 7 p.m. Aug. 12 by a man walking his dog, the chief said.

 

He said police and the Medical Examiner’s Office are awaiting results of toxicology tests before they can determine a cause of death. Although Jones said she might have died of a drug overdose, “the investigation will continue as a homicide until we prove otherwise.’’

 

Police said she might have died at a different location. 

 

“The scene doesn’t appear to contain all the evidence that would be contained if that is where she expired,’’ Jones said. ‘’We can’t definitely say she didn't die there, but the possibility she died somewhere else is also present so we don't want to rule out either as an option.’’

 

The lot is owned by 21 Ocean LLC, which has a Fort Lauderdale address, state records show. Jones said permit applications at Town Hall indicate the owner is preparing to build on the land, which is less than half an acre. 

 

Crime technicians from the Delray Beach Police Department are assisting with the investigation. 

 

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Ocean Ridge Police Department at 561-732-8331.

 

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