AIKEN - The investigation into the death of a woman whose badly decomposed body was found during the weekend has been handed over to Edgefield County authorities, the Aiken County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday.

After looking at aerial maps, Sheriff Mike Hunt said investigators realized that the body of the 5-foot-tall black woman was found about a half-mile inside Edgefield County.

The woman was found by hunters Saturday near Old Springfield Church Road, and investigators initially believed the land was inside Aiken County.

An autopsy could not pinpoint a cause of death, but before the case was transferred Tuesday, Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton said officials had found no evidence to suggest foul play.

The body had been in the woods for several weeks, he said, and the hot weather likely accelerated decomposition, he said.

Toxicology tests will not be complete for another couple of weeks, he said, and investigators also found clothes near the body that can be analyzed.

The State Law Enforcement Division has already initiated DNA analysis through the FBI, but Mr. Carlton was also considering contracting a private lab to conduct a speedier comparison.

DNA results from the FBI could take several months to complete, and "that's not fair to the family," he said Monday.

However, Edgefield County Coroner Thurmond Burnett said his agency might not have the money to hire a private lab for the analysis and that it would likely rely on the FBI's assistance.

"It's very expensive," he said.

Mr. Burnett said he and investigators will decide how to proceed once they've received all the information from Aiken County.

He confirmed that there is a strong suspicion that the body is that of missing Aiken woman Rosa "Duke" McKevie, who was last seen Aug. 25 while taking a walk.

Ms. McKevie, 52, had diminished mental capacity and was described as being 4 feet 11 inches tall.

Mr. Carlton, who would not speculate on the woman's identity, said the autopsy did find old, unrelated injuries that could help investigators determine who she is.

Reach Sandi Martin at (803) 648-1395, ext. 111, or sandi.martin@augustachronicle.com.

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