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BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: OPD, BCA investigate death near homeless camp

death, owatonna, police
A woman was found dead in the area near this overpass for Interstate 35 Tuesday night; Owatonna Police and the BCA are investigating. No information has been released, including the woman’s name and cause of death. Staff photo by Kay Fate

An investigation is underway after a young woman was found dead Tuesday night behind the Steele County Administration Building on Florence Avenue in Owatonna.

The call came in at 10:01 p.m. for a “suicidal party” lying under the bridge near the Canadian Pacific Railroad tracks that run through that area, according to scanner traffic.

Owatonna Police responded; while still en route, they were told the woman wasn’t breathing. Witnesses at the scene helped police officers find the woman’s body.

The area where she was found is tucked away under an overpass for Interstate 35; it’s been used as a homeless encampment, as evidenced by clothing and other items that remained there Wednesday morning.

Officers arrived and were waved down in order to find the location; the woman was pronounced dead 5 minutes after the initial call. The Steele County Coroner responded to the scene to remove the body.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was contacted and is assisting in the investigation; railroad police were also notified.

Owatonna Police haven’t officially identified the victim or the cause of death; no other details were made available.

If you have any information about the incident, you’re asked to contact Detective Christian Berg at 507-774-7220.

 

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