Police ID dead woman found in Barton Meadow

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE - The body of a woman found in Barton Meadow Oct. 11 has been identified as Sandra Denise Petersen, 55, of South Lake Tahoe, authorities said Thursday.

Petersen was married, and had family in Carson City.

"Everything was pointing to this particular person based on the description of the woman," said South Lake Tahoe Police Lt. Martin Hale. "In our investigation all of our facts had pointed to Sandra Petersen."

She was not homeless as some nearby neighbors had originally suspected, said Hale.

Police have talked to a number of people who live near Barton Meadow and had reportedly seen a blonde woman, between 50 and 60, there often. Occasionally she was seen with known homeless people.

It has not been determined whether Petersen had frequented the meadow in the past, police said.

Also undetermined is whether Petersen lived with her husband, who was contacted Thursday afternoon by police.

A forensic autopsy of Petersen was completed today. A cause of death has not been determined, said El Dorado County Sheriff's Office Lt. Les Lovell. Results of a toxicology analysis are pending.

The remains of Petersen's body were discovered Oct. 11 by a resident who was walking in the meadow.

Police have said coyotes had disturbed the body.

Mrs. Petersen was identified through dental records, according to Hale.

The case remains under investigation, Hale said.

"We haven't ruled it out yet. We are proceeding with caution. There's s no indication of foul play at this particular time," Lovell said.