Woman's body pulled from Lake Ballinger

Mountlake Terrace police are trying to identify a woman whose body was found Tuesday in Lake Ballinger.

Sgt. Doug Hansen said that officers responded to 23500 Lakeview Drive about 10:30 a.m. for reports of a "mannequin" in the water. Police divers found the woman's body near the boat ramp between Ballinger Lake Golf Course and the Nile Temple Golf Course.

The woman appeared to be either white or Hispanic and possibly in her teens or 20s, Hansen said. She had long, dark hair with piercings in her lip and navel, and a tattoo on the inside of her right ankle.

She was dressed in a black Russell-brand hooded sweat shirt, a white tank top, black pants, a gold-color belt buckle with the number "13" on it and white Nike tennis shoes. She wore a black bandanna around her neck, police said.

The Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office will perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death and to try to identify the woman through scientific means.

Hansen said that anyone with information should call 911 or e-mail detectives at crimetips@ci.mlt.wa.us.

The lake is bordered by the golf courses on its north and east sides and homes on the south and west sides.

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com