Kataka: The headless body of an unidentified woman was recovered from the Kathajodi River near Debigada in Kataka on Thursday.

The body was initially spotted floating in the river by a local youth. As the water level near the riverbank was low, he entered the river and pulled the body to the shore. He then discovered that it was the headless body of a woman and immediately informed the Purighat police.

Police reached the spot, conducted a preliminary investigation, and sent the body to SCB Medical College and Hospital for post-mortem examination. The deceased is believed to be between 40 and 50 years of age.

During the initial examination, police found multiple injury marks on the woman's right hand. Efforts are underway to establish the woman's identity. Police have circulated her photographs to police stations across Odisha. A DNA test will be conducted if required, said police.

This is the third case in the past two months in which the body of an unidentified woman has been recovered from the Kathajodi River. In May, a partially buried body of a woman was found near Mundamuhan under Baranga police limits. In another incident, the body of an unidentified woman was recovered from the Kathajodi River near Mukameswar, on the opposite side of Debigada.

Police have not yet been able to identify the deceased in the two earlier cases. Investigators are continuing their probe to determine the identity of the latest deceased and the circumstances surrounding her death.