The remains of a woman have been found in a suitcase at a homeless encampment in Seattle, marking the first known update nearly a year after her disappearance last year, according to local officials.
Authorities identified the remains, found on September 27, as belonging to Shannon Marie Caslin Reeder, 37, on October 4. The Washington State Patrol reportedly believed her to be living in the area, and she was last seen in November 2023, according to the outlet.
The circumstances surrounding Reeder’s d*eath are unclear, and investigators are “working with those who knew her to put together a timeline of her movements prior to her de*ath and eventual discovery of her remains,”.
Days prior to the discovery of Reeder’s remains, there was a shooting near the homeless encampment, prompting authorities to clear it, according to the outlet.
Reeder’s remains were found in a “large suitcase” by a crew working with the Washington Department of Transportation and outreach partners at the homeless encampment in Seattle’s Dr. Jose Rizal Park near Interstate 5 and Interstate 90, after they reportedly smelled decomposition. The Criminal Investigation Division of the department was then notified.
Per The Seattle Times, since their discovery, Reeder’s remains have been turned over to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, who will determine her cause of death, according to the State Patrol.
Investigators reportedly do not know if Reeder was ki*lled at the homeless encampment or at another location.
Reeder’s family was notified of her passing last week, according to local reports. Her friend Caitlyn Andrews said that they had known each other since childhood, and she had no idea why she would have been in that area, and is looking for answers as to why her friend disappeared.
Andrews described her as “silly, spontaneous and carefree,” and said that she was “loved and known by many people.”
In a statement the Washington State Patrol said, “Detectives continue to investigate [Shannon Reeder’s] death and are seeking information from anyone who has seen [Shannon Reeder] or had contact with her in the last 12 months.”
The Washington State Patrol also said that her death was “untimely” and her body was disposed of “callously,” and encouraged those with information to call Detective John Ford at 425-401-7742 or Detective Ivan Sergeev at 425-401-771.
