Evidence uncovered in case of body found in Central Mass.

Investigators have uncovered new evidence in the death of a 35-year-old woman whose body was found in woods off Route 122 in Rutland last week, Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said yesterday.

Investigators are sharing the information with the Middlesex district attorney's office and other agencies probing the deaths of three other women who died under similar circumstances, he said. "We are all working in a collaborative effort although we are treating this as a single murder, in and of itself," Early said by phone.

The woman, Lineida Olivera, was reported missing in February. A hunter discovered her remains on Sept. 3 while checking the conof a hunting apparatus about 200 yards from Route 122.

Early would not say what evidence was uncovered yesterday or how it helped advance the investigation. He also would not say whether investigators have any suspects.

"We want to make sure we catch the murderer of Ms. Olivera and bring her family some closure," Early said.

The case bears similarities to the discovery of other women's bodies in Central Massachusetts in recent years, but officials have hesitated to say definitively that they are looking for a serial killer.

In September 2003, two women's remains were found in Marlborough, and in March 2004, a woman's skeleton was found in Hudson, near the two other women.

"Because there are some similarities to other murders, we want to make sure we do everything we can to keep that information-sharing going on," Early said.

Marlborough Police Chief Mark F. Leonard said each jurisdiction involved has been sharing information since the discovery of Olivera's body.

"We're certainly aware of the similarities," Leonard said.

Corey Welford, a spokesman for Middlesex District Attorney Gerard T. Leone Jr. said officials are not ready to characterize the deaths as the work of a serial killer.

"We're certainly sharing information and actively working with them on this," Welford said.

Authorities have said that each of the women had worked previously as prostitutes in the Worcester area and had similar physical characteristics.

Meanwhile, Olivera's family is planning a wake Saturday in Marlborough. Authorities plan to release the body Friday, said Olivera's sister, Marilyn.

Lineida Olivera had 11 children, ages 8 months to 18 years, and two grandchildren, her sister said. Various relatives are caring for the children, said Marilyn Olivera, 34.

Police have not given the family much information about the investigation, Marilyn Olivera said.

"I want people to know the good side of her," Marilyn Olivera said. "She was a good mother, a good woman. And no matter what, she was a good sister."

Marilyn Olivera said her sister told relatives she was looking into drug rehabilitation programs and wanted to get her life back together.

She explained that relatives delayed filing a missing-person report because they believed she was in rehabilitation

"She was trying very hard," Marilyn Olivera said.