After going nameless for nearly three months, a homeless San Jose homicide victim, murdered Aug. 13 in front of a Walgreen Store, has been identified, the Coroner's Office announced this morning in a press release.
The woman's name is Joan Anne Hughes and she was 70 years old at the time of her murder outside the Walgreen store at 1399 W. San Carlos St., in San Jose.
Hughes' death occurred on a particularly bloody week in San Jose, which included a shooting on Winchester Boulevard near the San Jose/Campbell. A second shooting near the border took place this Tuesday.
The coroner had issued a news release in September asking media to disseminate information about the woman's death with two sketch mugs hoping the public would help identify her.
In a brief media advisory released this morning, the coroner said it had identified Hughes with the help of the Department of Justice.
The woman was originally thought to be 60 years old and believed to have gone by the name of Gail.
The last name she had provided to police, Valley Medical Center and general public was Hayden, the coroner said in September and authorities weren't able to confirm her last name.
Hughes also didn't have a California driver's license, or ID, and had never been arrested, the Coroner said.
Hughes also spoke with a New York state accent and for years lived in the area where she was murdered, according to the coroner.
Authorities thanked the public for their assistance with the case.
