Unidentified woman found dead in suitcase along I-80 in Utah

MAGNA, Utah (AP) — Utah police say a body found in a suitcase along Interstate 80 west of Salt Lake City is that of a middle-aged woman.

Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal said in a statement Friday afternoon that the woman had long dark hair, a wrist tattoo and had a mastectomy.

Hoyal says an autopsy shows the woman died from a gunshot wound. It was unclear how long body had been there.

State transportation workers stumbled across the large suitcase in a ravine near Saltair on Thursday.


According to FOX 13 Now in Salt Lake City, the police press release states the middle-aged female is of an unknown ethnicity and had long dark hair. The woman had a tattoo on her left wrist depicting a pink breast cancer ribbon and had undergone a mastectomy of the right breast. She was wearing a red and white tank top and red button-up shirt as well as jeans. All clothing is size 8.

The press release states an autopsy determined the woman died as a result of a shooting and was later dumped at the scene. It is not clear how long the victim was at the scene, but, “it is believed she had been there for several weeks to several months.”

Police have not released any details regarding a possible suspect.

Police are working to identify the victim, and anyone with information about the case is asked to call UPD at 385-468-9617.

(FOX13 Now/Salt Lake City contributed to this story)