Dental records used to ID 71-year-old homicide victim in Melbourne

Woman’s body found at former thrift store on South Harbor City Boulevard, police say

MELBOURNE, Fla. – Melbourne police say they’ve identified the body of a woman found at a former thrift store.

Police said Jo Ellen Johnson, 71, was located at 2900 S. Harbor City Blvd. The former thrift store at that location is no longer open for business, according to a news release.

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Homicide investigation at 2900 S Harbor City Blvd. (Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

Officers began investigating after the woman was reported missing, according to a release. After gaining access to her residence, the former thrift store, police found her body and began a homicide investigation.

An autopsy confirmed Johnson was the victim of a homicide, police said. Dental records were used to confirm her identity. Investigators have not said exactly how she died.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Brackett at 321-608-6893 or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).