An investigation is ongoing into the death of Newark mother Pamela Davis, authorities said.
NEWARK -- More than a week after her decapitated body was discovered by police, the specific circumstances of the death of Newark mother Pamela Davis remain unclear.
The cause and timing of Davis's death have yet to be determined, pending the results of an autopsy, authorities have said. Officials with the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, the agency charged with investigating her death, have declined to say whether its investigators have identified suspects in connection to it.
But as the department's investigation continues, authorities are also working to recover Davis's severed head, NJ Advance Media has learned.
Multiple sources familiar with the investigation, but who were not authorized to speak, said that Davis's head was not recovered from the Newark residence where her body was found. Its current location is unknown, the sources said.
http://www.nj.com/essex/index.ssf/2015/11/newark_woman_found_decapitated_was_friendly_quiet.html
It remains unclear whether Davis's body was dismembered before or after she died. What affect, if any, the body's mutilation has had on the investigation into the cause of her death is also unclear.
Asked for official statement, a spokeswoman for the Essex County Prosecutor's Office declined to comment on the condition of Davis's body.
According to residents, Davis, 50, was reported missing by members of her family after leaving her home on Oct. 30.
Newark police discovered Davis's remains on Nov. 9 inside at a South 11th Street residence after authorities received reports of a foul smell emanating from the garage.
Davis herself did not live in the home, but instead at another residence on South 11th street, authorities said following the discovery.
Sources familiar with the investigation told NJ Advance Media that Davis' body had been found wrapped in a blanket and decapitated.
Officials have yet to classify Davis's death as a homicide, pending a determination on the cause of her death, authorities said.
The discovery of Davis's remains cast a pall over the neighborhood, some residents said. Davis was a quiet, but friendly, presence in the neighborhood, some said.
"You could see her out here all the time, walking her dog or bringing home groceries after work," said one resident. "She would always stop and talk to me and my family when we were out on the porch. It's just very sad."
Attempts to reach members of Davis's immediate family for comment were unsuccessful.
Vernal Coleman can be reached at vcoleman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @vernalcoleman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.