An unidentified woman's body was found in woods southeast of Hastings, and authorities said Monday that she had not been there long.

The Dakota County Sheriff's Office said the owner of the land on Presley Circle, north of 175th Street in Ravenna Township, made the discovery late Saturday afternoon.

"It appeared she had been there for less than 36 hours," the Sheriff's Office said.

Authorities described the woman as white or American Indian in her late 20s to early 30s; ranging in height from 5 feet 6 to 5 feet 8; weighing 190 pounds, and having reddish hair with blond highlights.

The description also noted her "vibrant white teeth."

She had a blue, vine-shaped tattoo on her lower back and was wearing jewel-encrusted starfish-shaped earrings.

Anyone with information about the woman is urged to call the Sheriff's Office at 651-438-2727.

Paul Walsh