Body found in Lake Pontchartrain IDed as New Orleans woman, 88

Published 3:45 pm Tuesday, May 31, 2016

NORCO — A body found by railroad crewmembers in early May has been identified as an 88-year-old New Orleans woman, authorities said.

Authorities previously announced the woman discovered dead May 4 near Norco in Lake Pontchartrain was likely the victim of homicide.

On Tuesday afternoon, St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne said the body was positively identified as Estelle Webb, 88, from New Orleans.

“The Louisiana State Police Laboratory positively matched DNA from the body and DNA collected from Webb’s personal items from her residence at 8716 Heaton St. in New Orleans,” Champagne said in a release. “Webb was reported missing to the NOPD.”

Work crews with CN Railroad notified the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office May 4 of a body in Lake Pontchartrain just west of the entrance canal to the lower section of the Bonnet Carre’ Spillway in Norco.

New Orleans Police Department Homicide is taking primary lead in the investigation, and St. Charles Parish detectives are assisting.

Anyone with information concerning Webb is asked to contact New Orleans Police or Crime Stoppers at 1-877-903-STOP.

The victim was wearing a red and white plaid button down shirt, a white under shirt and a blue sports bra.

According to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, the victim was found with gold-capped dentures on the top of her mouth and no lower dentures at the time the body was discovered.

It is believed the victim’s body was in the water for approximately two to three days.