September 13, 2010
Investigation into Death of Amtrak Passenger Continues
JESUP, GA - The Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, Amtrak Police, Sanford, Florida Police and other law enforcement agencies are continuing to investigate the death of 63-year-old Barbara Arteta whose body was found September 9 near CSX railroad tracks between mile markers 553 and 554 south of Jesup, Georgia in Wayne County.
Mrs. Arteta, of New Smyna Beach, Florida, had been reported missing from Amtrak Auto Train #53 by her husband when he was unable to locate her after the train arrived in Sanford, Florida at 8:00am on September 9. The train had departed Lorton, Virginia on September 8 at 4:00pm.
GBI Agents are working with Amtrak officials in an effort to locate passengers who were aboard Amtrak Auto Train #53 with Mrs. Arteta; particularly passengers who were in cars 5310, 5311, 5312 and 5313 and in the lounge area. Agents plan on interviewing those passengers to determine if they might have information which would assist in this investigation.
An autopsy performed Friday morning by a GBI crime lab medical examiner in Savannah determined that Mrs. Arteta died from multiple injuries including a broken neck. The manner of death is pending further investigation.
The GBI is asking for any passengers on this train to please call the GBI TIP line at 1-800-597-8477.
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