A human skull discovered on the evening of April 3, off of Reservoir Street has been identified as Tyra Wilkerson ( 12-6-73 ) of Norwood according to Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

The identification was made by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner based upon examination of medical and dental records. Ms. Wilkerson had been reported missing to authorities in Norwood in August of 2006.

“We hope the identification will bring some measure of closure to Ms. Wilkerson’s family. We will now move forward in attempting to determine the circumstances surrounding her death.”

The investigation is being conducted by State Police Detectives assigned to the Office of the District Attorney and the Holden Police Department. They are being assisted by the Norwood Police Department.

Investigators working on the case of a human skull found in the woods near Holden Reservoir are appealing to the public for help, Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said today. The skull was discovered by a jogger in the woods off Reservoir Road in the early evening of April 3. The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has been studying the skull.

“It appears the skull belonged to a black female between 25 and 45 years old,” Mr. Early said. “The person we are trying to identify appears to have suffered a brain aneurism. A subsequent craniotomy was performed to treat the aneurism. A bone flap is removed from the skull during this type of surgery.”

The investigation, headed by the State Police Detectives assigned to Mr. Early’s office, has determined the surgery was performed between 2003 and 2010.

“Anyone who has knowledge of a missing person who would have had similar characteristics, should contact the Massachusetts State Police Detectives, Sergeant James S. Nanof or Trooper Gerard A. O’Malley at 508-832-9124,” Mr. Early said. Click here to link to the Press Release page of the DA's website.