ALFRED— The sister of an Alfred woman whose remains were found in Florida Thursday said she and her family and friends hope to get more answers soon.

The medical examiner for Pasco County positively identified the remains of a woman found in the woods off Route 19 in New Port Richey, Florida, as Judith Therianos, 52, of Alfred, who was reported missing last month.

“Its been a nightmare,” said Judith’s sister, Jennifer Scammon, this morning. “The outpouring from family and friends has been very helpful.”

Scammon said family and friends are patiently awaiting more information from the Pasco County Sheriff ’s Office – information that she hopes will come soon.

Therianos had not been seen since March 14. She left Maine for Florida in mid-February to visit a sick friend in the Tampa area, and eventually made her way to New Port Richey.

A medical examiner confirmed Therianos’ identity, but Pasco County Sheriff ’s Office spokesman Eddie Daniels said this morning that the cause and manner of her death has not yet been determined.

The department’s Major Crimes Unit is involved in the investigation, which Daniels said happens whenever someone is found in similar circumstances.

Therianos was reported missing by her sister on March 19. Family and friends set about to spread the word through Facebook, hoping someone would recognize her and report her location. She was described in Facebook postings as a woman who made friends easily.

Friends and family said it was uncharacteristic for Therianos to be out of contact with family members for so long.

Therianos had stopped to see a friend in Hudson, Florida, according to a Facebook page set up in March to put out the word she was missing. Information on that page said she had been in the company of a thin, older man with white hair and a long white beard named Charlie. Therianos had a black eye at that time, according to the posting.

Daniels said this morning that a woman scouting for returnable cans in the wooded area along the highway found the remains and called police.

Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Gasparino at the Pasco County Sheriff ’s Office, (727) 847-5878.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 324-4444 (local call in Sanford) or 282-1535, ext. 327 or twells@journaltribune.com.

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