A maintenance worker’s shocking discovery near the railroad tracks in Brigham City has ignited a homicide investigation as police plead for help identifying the woman found in a black plastic bag.
At a Glance
- A woman’s body was found along Brigham City’s railroad tracks, wrapped in plastic.
- She had a distinctive heart-shaped tattoo on her left bicep.
- The case has been ruled a homicide by investigators.
- Authorities are working with national databases and appealing to the public for information.
- A tattoo artist and local police say the ink may be the key to her identity.
A chilling discovery on a routine route
Brigham City’s peaceful rhythm was shattered when a railroad maintenance crew stumbled upon a black plastic bag containing human remains. Inside was the body of a woman, partially clothed in black leggings and a hoodie. Her long reddish-brown hair and heart-shaped tattoo on her left arm may be the only leads investigators have so far. Officials say the woman’s body was found in an area not far from residential homes, deepening community unease and fueling the urgency behind the investigation.
Detective Crystal Beck described the remains as being “in a fairly high state of decomposition,” suggesting the body had been there for some time. As of now, authorities are waiting on forensic results from the State Medical Examiner to narrow down both the cause and estimated time of death.
Tattoo holds potential breakthrough
The most prominent clue in the investigation is the woman’s tattoo — a heart etched on her left bicep — which could potentially help identify her. Tattoo artist Kayla Shiffler, who works at Legacy Tattoo in Ogden, emphasized the emotional resonance tattoos carry. “When there’s no other identifying markers, if you have tattoos, those are symbols that your family and your friends are going to recognize,” she told Fox 13 News.
Police Chief Chad Reyes echoed that sentiment, saying the tattoo may help expedite the investigation if someone recognizes it. “We’re really hoping that it’s a stroke of luck for us that the tattoo survived,” Reyes told the outlet. He also noted, “The tattoo we’re hoping might help us expedite our investigation in a sense that we might get friends or family calling in sooner.”
Watch coverage of the Brigham City body discovery.
Residents reeling, investigation widens
The body’s location—close to a populated area—has heightened anxiety among locals. Brigham City resident Joe Reeder expressed disbelief to the Daily Mail, saying, “To me, this isn’t a very way-out-of-the-way place.” That sentiment reflects the broader community’s sense of vulnerability as investigators sift through tips and leads.
Although police briefly looked into potential links with the case of missing Utah National Guardsman Matthew Johnson, no connections have been found so far.
As the mystery deepens, authorities are urging anyone who may recognize the tattoo or know someone matching the woman’s description to come forward. For now, the identity of the woman remains unknown, but investigators hope that with public help and forensic science, her story will soon be uncovered.
