Missing woman's remains reportedly found in suitcase during homeless encampment sweep in Seattle

SEATTLE (TCN) -- Officials are investigating the death of a woman whose remains were found in a large suitcase and recently identified.

According to a news release from the Washington State Patrol, the remains were initially found during an encampment sweep on the morning of Sept. 27. At the time, authorities said state and local workers and nonprofits "were assisting encampment residents and clearing the site of debris when the startling discovery was made."

In an update posted Oct 4, troopers announced that the medical examiner positively identified the victim as 37-year-old Shannon Reeder. The last confirmed local sighting of her was just over a year ago.

Authorities did not say how Reeder died but said the case is being investigated as a homicide, and detectives are working to put together a timeline of her whereabouts.