Human remains found near Lake Tapps in 2019 are those of a woman, the Pierce County Sheriff's Department said in a news release Thursday.
The remains were found by an excavator operator on private property on Aug. 28, 2019. Deputies are seeking tips that would determine the woman's identity, the release said.
The operator had been cleaning debris and garbage on his property when he noticed a blue waste bin screwed shut. He opened the bin and dumped out the contents. The next day he noticed there was a blanket in the shape of a person with duct tape wrapped around it. Bones and debris fell out of the blanket, the release said.
Detectives determined the remains belong to a woman, 24 to 44 years old, about 5-foot-1 to 5-foot-7. The woman is believed to have had a set of dentures, which is unusual for someone in her age range, the release said.
This case is being investigated as a homicide because the remains were wrapped in a blanket with duct tape and placed in the bin. There were rings found on the victim, which could be valuable family heirlooms, the release said.
Detectives said anyone who recognizes the rings or might know the identity of the woman should send an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers, the release said.
Tips can be sent to tpcrimestoppers.com or 1-800-222-TIPS.
