The body of a woman who had been shot in the head was found yesterday near the Southwest Park & Ride lot near University of Maryland Baltimore County in Catonsville.

County police said the body is believed to be that of Carmella Genene Pennington, 23, of the 600 block of S. Paca St., a University of Maryland Law School student last seen Aug. 22 at her home. Sgt. Stephen R. Doarnberger, county police spokesman, said the wound appeared to be self-inflicted.

Acting on a tip, 12 city detectives found the body, fully clothed, at 10:40 a.m., about 250 yards from where Ms. Pennington's car was found in the lot Saturday. Sergeant Doarnberger said a shotgun lay beside her. Dental records will be used to make a positive identification, he said.