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Body Identified As That Of Syracuse Woman

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Coroners have identified the body discovered in Turkey Creek Sunday as that of Jill L. Phillips, 25, Syracuse.

The cause of death is so far undetermined, pending the results of toxicology tests that are expected in approximately 10 days. According to Kosciusko County Coroner Larry Ladd, no gun or knife wounds were found on her.

"At this point," said Ladd, "we're not ruling out anything."

He said Phillips was probably in the water since she was first reported missing due to the advanced stages of decomposition of her body.

Her body was found by two teen-agers as they were canoeing on Turkey Creek near the county line between Kosciusko and Elkhart counties.

Her body was found two miles west of Syracuse, north of CR 1300N. The body was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center, Fort Wayne, for an autopsy.

Phillips was reported missing April 10 after she failed to meet her boyfriend and did not return to her residence. Neighbors and relatives had not heard from her since April 1 and she also failed to make several scheduled appointments or return to work.

Syracuse Police Department and the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department are continuing the investigation.