The Catahoula Parish Sheriff’s Department has opened a homicide investigation after the remains of a woman’s torso were found floating in the Ouachita River in Louisiana this week,

The sheriff’s department said a fisherman spotted the body Wednesday afternoon, about three miles north of Jonesville, and called 911, according to KTVE. Deputies recovered the remains, which were taken to Parish Forensics in Broussard for an autopsy.

The medical examiner determined the torso’s head and extremities had been removed in a deliberate and precise manner, identifying the remains as a light-skinned African-American woman who weighed about 220 to 250 pounds.

The death occurred one to five days before the remains were found, the medical examiner said.

“We are working this case in conjunction with the Louisiana State Police, multiple Sheriff’s Offices in North Louisiana and other local law enforcement agencies,” atahoula Parish Sheriff Toney Edwards said. “At this time, there is no indication that the body is that of anyone missing from our immediate area.”

Authorities are checking into other woman who may have been reported missing within the time period indicated by the medical examiner. Anyone with information is asked to call 318-744-5411.

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