A railroad maintenance crew in Brigham City, Utah made a grim discovery when they found a black plastic bag containing the decomposed remains of an unidentified woman, with police now hoping a distinctive heart-shaped tattoo will help solve the mystery of her identity.
Quick Takes
- Human remains found in a black plastic bag near railroad tracks in Brigham City, Utah have been classified as a homicide case.
- The victim is a woman with long reddish-brown hair wearing black leggings and a black hoodie, with a distinctive heart-shaped tattoo on her left bicep.
- The body was in an advanced state of decomposition but intact, with authorities unable to determine cause of death, time frame, or victim’s age and race yet.
- Police are searching local, state, and national missing persons databases while forensic teams analyze the remains.
- Authorities are seeking public assistance, encouraging anyone who recognizes the tattoo to contact Brigham City Police at 435-856-7023.
Mysterious Discovery Along Railroad Tracks
A maintenance crew working along railroad tracks in Brigham City, Utah made the disturbing find in April 2025, immediately prompting a homicide investigation. The woman’s body was discovered inside what authorities describe as a black plastic container more pliable than a standard garbage bag. Despite being in an advanced state of decomposition, the remains were intact enough for investigators to note the woman had long reddish-brown hair and was dressed in black leggings and a black hoodie at the time of her death.
Detective Crystal Beck described the remains as being “in a fairly high state of decomposition,” complicating initial identification efforts. The discovery location has raised additional questions among investigators and local residents alike. The site is near a busy road in an area that sees regular foot and vehicle traffic, not the remote location typically associated with body disposal. Local resident Joe Reeder expressed surprise at the location, stating, “To me, this isn’t a very way-out-of the way place.”
Heart-Shaped Tattoo Could be Key to Identification
Law enforcement officials have identified a distinct heart-shaped tattoo on the woman’s left bicep as potentially the most valuable clue in determining her identity. The tattoo appears to contain initials, suggesting it might be a memorial or personal tattoo, possibly related to a child. Police are hoping this distinctive marking will prompt recognition from friends or family members who might be searching for a missing loved one with similar characteristics.
“At the end of the day, it’s amazing because when there’s no other identifying markers, if you have tattoos, those are symbols that your family and your friends are going to recognize,” Kayla Shiffler, a tattoo artist at Legacy Tattoo in Ogden said.
Brigham City Police Chief Chad Reyes emphasized the potential breakthrough this tattoo represents for investigators, noting, “I will say that we’re really hoping that it’s a stroke of luck for us that the tattoo survived.” The unusual circumstances have prompted authorities to check local, state, and national missing persons databases while requesting public assistance in identifying the woman.
Ongoing Investigation and Forensic Analysis
The remains have been transferred to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner for comprehensive forensic analysis, including DNA and biological profiling. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of death, how long the body had been at the location, or the woman’s approximate age and race. These critical details remain under investigation as forensic teams continue their methodical analysis of both the remains and the discovery site.
“The tattoo we’re hoping might help us expedite our investigation in a sense that we might get friends or family calling in sooner,” Reyes said.
While some local speculation has attempted to connect this case to that of missing Utah National Guardsman Matthew Johnson, authorities have made no official connection between the cases. The discovery has nonetheless shocked the typically quiet community, with residents expressing concern about such a crime occurring in close proximity to their homes. The Brigham City Police Department urges anyone with information about the case or who might recognize the tattoo to contact them at 435-856-7023.
Sources:
- Mystery as Utah worker finds dead woman’s body in plastic bag with ‘distinct’ bicep tattoo
- Tattoo artist reacts to shared tattoo art by police of remains found in Brigham City
