Police Find Suitcase with Body of Woman Missing for a Year in Homeless Camp

A woman last seen nearly a year ago was found dead inside a large suitcase by Washington State police clearing out a homeless encampment last month.

Remains of 37-year-old Shannon Marie Caslin Reeder were discovered in the encampment at a junction in Seattle on Sept. 27, Washington State Patrol said in a press release last week. 

Police say Reeder was living in the area when she disappeared in November of last year. 

“State and local workers and local non-profits were assisting encampment residents and clearing the site of debris when the startling discovery was made,” police said in their Friday, Oct. 4, statement.

The remains were handed over to a medical examiner as authorities launched a homicide investigation, per police.

Reeder’s childhood friend says she grew concerned when Reeder didn’t reply to her birthday wishes a few months ago, per FOX 13 Seattle.

“We tried on Facebook, we tried on her cell phones,” Caitlyn Andrews told the outlet. “It’s hard to believe, it’s devastating.”

She says Reeder was a mother, and the deceased woman’s social media shows a photo of her with her toddler daughter in 2015.

Andrews says despite losing her mother at the age of 15, Reeder remained a “carefree” person.

“Shannon was silly, spontaneous and carefree,” Andrews told FOX 13 Seattle. “A new lip gloss, new shoes and she was a happy girl.”

Another friend of Reeder wrote in a Facebook post that Reeder was her best friend and the two shared their “dreams, fears and the mundane moments.”

“Shannons (sic) laughter was a balm during tough times, and their unwavering belief in me pushed me to be my best self,” wrote Sheila Brashler.

“In honoring their memory, I strive to live as they would have wanted—fully and fearlessly,” Brashler wrote alongside several photos of the two.

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An investigation is ongoing. It’s not clear if police have identified a person of interest since their announcement last week. Washington State Patrol did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for updates.

Police are looking to speak with anyone who has seen or been in touch with Reeder in the last 12 months. Anyone with information on what may have happened to her is urged to reach out to Detective John Ford at 425-401-7742 or Detective Ivan Sergeev at 425-401-7719.