A man walking his dog in northeast Atlanta early Monday evening discovered a woman’s body stashed inside a trash can, police said.
Authorities responded to the “person down” call at Highland Avenue and Howell Street shortly after 5:15 p.m. Monday. Atlanta police Lt. Charles Hampton said a woman’s body was discovered inside of a “Herby Curby” — the style of trash can typically used for residential curbside disposal — by a man walking his dog in the area, which is not far from Atlanta Medical Center and the recently opened Freedom Barkway Dog Park.
Cause of death, time of death and possible motive were unclear Monday, as was the woman’s identity. Hampton said nearby residents reported first seeing the trash can around 11 a.m. Monday, and that he was “under the impression” that it was not typically in the area.
Hampton declined to provide more specifics about the deceased woman’s condition, but department spokesman Officer Ralph Woolfolk previously said the body was wrapped in a blanket.
Resident R.J. Morris is on the board of Freedom Barkway, which opened in March. He told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he was driving by the area Monday when he saw police cars.
“We love being able to take our dogs here,” Morris said, “and the area is very much improving. Hopefully, this is a very, very isolated incident.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Atlanta police homicide unit at 404-546-4235 or Crime Stoppers Atlanta at 404-577-TIPS.
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