Cold case: Woman killed and burned 30 years ago identified by US police

US police have identified a woman who was beaten with a hammer, strangled and set on fire, 31 years after her death.

Authorities said the woman killed in 1991 was 30-year-old Christine Belusko from Clifton, New Jersey.

Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon said his office, along with the New York police department and Federal Bureau of Investigation used forensic genealogy techniques to identify Ms Belusko and her daughter Christa Nicola.

But authorities have not been able to find Christa, who would have been two years old at the time of her mother's death.

"We have already notified her family of her death, and we continue to make all efforts to also locate Christa Nicole so we can let her know about who her mother was and what has been done to bring justice to this case," Mr McMahon said.

"We can never bring her back, but we want Christa Nicole to know - and her family - that she was never forgotten."

Ms Belusko was found handcuffed and burned by a passer-by in Staten Island on 20 September 1991.

Police had little information about who the victim was apart from a distinctive scorpion tattoo on her right buttock.

She had been hit 17 times on the back of the head by a 13-inch hammer found under her body with the name "Loyd L" inscribed on it.

Two gold chains, a ring watch, some coins and a pack of cigarettes were also found at the scene but police have so far failed to catch her killer.