Natasha Dionne Nelson

The charred body of a female, identified only as Jane Doe #62, was discovered Monday, Oct. 11, according to Los Angeles County coroner's records.

No age, location or cause of death were immediately reported by the coroner.

Notes in the case indicated that a scan of the body did not find any projectiles. However, the body's condition made it difficult to determine whether trauma had occurred. The Times will report more details once they are available.

[Updated Oct. 15: Firefighters putting out a small brush fire north of Castaic near the 5 Freeway at Templin Highway discovered a body in the smoldering ashes about 5:39 a.m., authorities said.

Ed Pickett, a Los Angeles County Fire Department supervising dispatcher, said the fire was knocked down in about an hour.

Firefighters found the body as they were dousing embers, said Robert Diaz, a spokesman for the Fire Department.

Due to the charred state of the body, coroner's officials have deferred a final cause of death. Pending additional tests, results will not be available for another six to eight weeks, said Ed Winter, spokesman for the coroner's office.]

[Update Feb. 28, 2011: Coroner's officials said Jane Doe #62 has yet to be identified, but her death was ruled a homicide. Although it is not clear what exactly caused her death, her remains were charred and bound. Tests show the victim had coronary artery sclerosis, or fatty buildup inside the arteries. There were also traces of cocaine in her system.]

-- Catherine Saillant and Sarah Ardalani

Updated January 22, 2018: The coroner identified Jane Doe #62 as Natasha Dionne Nelson.