Watch CBS News

Body Found Floating Near Julia Tuttle Causeway

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami police are investigating after a woman's body was found Thursday morning floating on the northern side of the Julia Tuttle Causeway.

A source tells CBS4's Peter D'Oench that the woman who was in her late 30s or early 40s and had been shot in the chest.

According to Miami Fire Rescue Captain Ignatius Carroll, the woman's body was located at 9:42 a.m.

"A man outside with his wife was fishing and they noticed something unusual," said Carroll.

"When he walked over to the shore that's when he noticed a body and that's when he called 911," added Miami Police Officer Frederica Burden.

"Paramedics went out to evaluate and they noticed there was trauma to the body so they did not want to move it any further so police could their investigation," said Carroll.

CLICK HERE To Watch Peter D'Oench's Report

"The body was clothed, " said Captain Carroll. "We are not sure if she was wearing a wet suit or a jump suit, but the body was clothed."

Homicide investigators spent several hours at the scene before the woman's body was taken to the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner's Office..

"We're not sure how long the body was in the water. We're trying not to disturb any evidence," Carroll added. "Another thing to consider is that this area is where we have a lot of homeless people who live out here."

A police source said the woman did not appear to be homeless.

"It's a little early in the investigation so we are trying to figure out what happened here," Burden added.

Burden is appealing for the public's help. "If we have anybody who was driving by or fishing or who was on the water, we would like them to call Crime Stoppers or the homicide unit at the Miami Police Department."

Officials will be combing through missing persons reports and hope an autopsy at the Medical Examiner's Office will provide more clues and a possible identification.

Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers at (305) 471-TIPS.

RELATED CONTENT:

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.