Major Case Squad investigates body in trash bin

By Ann Rubin

KSDK -- The body of a young woman was found in a trash bin at a Pacific apartment complex Tuesday afternoon. Now, the Major Case Squad is working through the night trying to identify her and to track down the person responsible for her death.

Employees at the Monroe Woods Apartments were taking out the garbage when they made the gruesome discovery. The body was that of a young, white female, and she had been mutilated.

Many residents of the complex spent the day accounting for loved ones and trying to find out who the victim was.

"It's scary," says artist Crystal Angus. "Everyone wants to know if it's a family member, or a friend or a neighbor."

Authorities focused their investigation on a small green trash bin which they later removed from the scene. They also processed evidence from the larger dumpster that sat behind it.

Beyond that, authorities are not releasing details, fearing they might jeopardize the investigation in its early stages. Still, neighbors say all the uncertainty and unanswered questions are causing concern.

"They don't know what happened. And the fact that we don't know what happened is what scares us the most, because you don't know if someone is just watching and waiting and in our apartment complex," says resident Sara Wilke.

Another resident, Joseph Shackelford, says, "I really hope they'll let us know what's going on so we can take precautions ourselves."

If you have any information on this case, contact the Major Case Squad. They're operating out of the Pacific Police Department and City Hall buildings.