Investigation continues
PINE TWP, MERCER COUNTY — The mystery surrounding a female body found in a Mercer County waste transfer station continued as investigators searched for any evidence that could help identify the woman.
Workers at Tri-County Industries discovered the body Wednesday afternoon while loading trash into trucks at the company's waste transfer station on TCI Park Drive in Pine Township, Mercer County, state police said.
An autopsy of the woman, believed to be between 16 and 25 years old, was done Thursday in Erie.
Mercer County Coroner Brad McGonigle received the results and sent information to state police, but police had not released any details as of this morning.
The waste at the facility was destined for the Seneca Landfill in Jackson Township when the body was found at about 3 p.m. Wednesday. State police in Butler searched the Seneca Landfill Thursday for clues.
The transfer station collects trash from nine counties, spanning as far east as Clarion County and as far west as Youngstown, Ohio, and north to Erie.
It also collects garbage from more than 20 municipalities in the northern half of Butler County. “There's really no way to know what truck she was in or where she came from,” Trooper Dan Kesten said, adding the facility receives more than 100 loads per day from garbage trucks.
Kesten, a spokesman for state police in Butler, said Thursday no forms of identification were found on the body. He did not say if there was any trauma that could indicate foul play.
Kesten said the woman is 5-feet 1-inch to 5-feet 3-inches tall, of medium build with blue eyes and brown hair. She was found wearing a black tank top, black yoga pants, and white socks with green trim. She had pierced ears.
Police immediately began reviewing reports of missing persons within the company's service area. However, Kesten said there were numerous women whose descriptions were similar to the body.
Investigators plan to use fingerprinting, dental records and facial recognition software to come up with an identity.
“We're working with other local and state police departments to see what we can find,” Kesten said.
Police are also working with universities in the area, as the woman could be a college student.
Kesten said the body was dumped from a truck into an unloading pile.
A high-lift operator discovered the body while moving trash to an area where it would be loaded into large trucks and taken to the Jackson Township site.
Company officials immediately notified authorities, police said.
Kesten said the body was likely dumped at the facility between midnight and 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 724-284-8100.
