The body of a Florida woman was discovered along the side of Interstate 95 in Orangeburg County early Thursday, only hours after she had been interviewed by police in Port Orange, Florida.

The body of Jackie Bartlett Lovell, 47, of Port Orange, Fla., was discovered after the Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office received several 911 calls in reference to a person lying in the northbound emergency lane of the interstate, which runs from Florida to Maine.

An autopsy revealed that the woman had been hit in the back of the head with a blunt object. Major Barbara Walters of the OCSO said officials do not know where she died.

“The victim’s body was dumped in Orangeburg County five miles from the Dorchester County line,” Walters said. “Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office along with Florida authorities are conducting the investigation.”

Walters said Lovell was last seen in Port Orange, Fla. at about 5 or 6 p.m. Wednesday. She said law enforcement there had done a field interview with Lovell.

Authorities in Port Orange declined to give any information about Lovell or the reason for their interview. They said the investigation is ongoing.

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