Marina
A shocking discovery in North St. Louis has left residents shaken and police investigating multiple scenes.
On Sunday afternoon, a woman’s body was found stuffed inside a tote bag along the 4900 block of Harney Avenue, just blocks from Bellefontaine Cemetery.
This disturbing incident comes only days after another set of human remains was found three miles away, raising questions about safety and crime trends in the city.
The Harney Avenue Discovery
On September 14, 2025, around 12:30 p.m., neighbors spotted a suspicious gray tote bag on the street. Initially, no one thought much of it. But when resident Freida Parks touched the bag, she felt something unusual. To her horror, she realized it contained a human foot.
Police were called immediately. Officers confirmed the bag contained the body of a woman wrapped in garbage bags. The St. Louis Medical Examiner’s Office has taken over to determine the cause of death and to establish the woman’s identity.
Residents say the tote was small, suggesting the victim may have been young or petite. Families with children nearby are especially disturbed by the sight, saying it’s something they should never have had to witness.
Key Facts of the Case
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date Found | Sunday, September 14, 2025 |
| Time | Around 12:30 p.m. |
| Location | 4900 block of Harney Avenue, near Bellefontaine Cemetery |
| Victim | Adult woman (identity unknown) |
| Discovery | Found inside tote bag wrapped with black garbage bags |
| Investigating Agency | St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department & Medical Examiner’s Office |
| Current Status | Cause of death pending; identity unknown; no suspects in custody |
Neighbors React
Residents expressed fear and frustration after the discovery.
- Freida Parks, who lives only doors away, said: “I’ve been seeing that tote all morning; it never dawned on me that there was a body in it.”
- Others noted that two abandoned houses sit near the scene, often attracting dumping and suspicious activity.
- Parks added: “Within the last two, three months, it’s been getting kind of dangerous. Maybe if the police came down more, it wouldn’t be as bad.”
For families on Harney Avenue, the growing crime trend feels like a direct threat to their safety and peace.
Connection to Other Remains Found
Only three miles away, on September 11, 2025, workers with the St. Louis Forestry Division discovered human bones on Labadie Avenue in the Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood.
While unsettling, McCoy clarified that no connection has been confirmed between the two cases.
- The Harney Avenue case involves a recent body in a bag, while
- The Labadie Avenue case involves skeletal remains, requiring more detailed forensic testing.
Still, the back-to-back discoveries have left the public uneasy, with some fearing a larger pattern of violence.
Rising Concerns About Crime
Residents say crime has increased in recent months:
- Abandoned houses becoming dump sites.
- More reports of suspicious activity in North St. Louis neighborhoods.
- Families fearful about letting children play outside.
One neighbor said: “People are scared to walk down the street or even get out of their car. They need to stop this killing. It’s getting out of control.”
Community members are urging for increased police patrols and community cleanup efforts to restore safety and trust.
What Happens Next?
Authorities outlined the next steps in the investigation:
- Autopsy Results – To determine cause of death.
- Identification – Using fingerprints, dental records, or DNA.
- Family Notification – Once identity is confirmed, next of kin will be informed.
- Investigation Expansion – Detectives will review surveillance, canvass neighbors, and analyze potential connections to other crimes.
Police encourage anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).
Broader Impact on the Community
This case underscores the emotional and psychological toll violent crime has on neighborhoods:
- Families with children were exposed to a graphic crime scene.
- Long-time residents say they no longer feel safe in their homes.
- The reputation of St. Louis’s North City continues to suffer, as more incidents of violent crime draw national attention.
Community advocates emphasize that solving these crimes quickly is crucial to restoring public trust.
The discovery of a woman’s body in a bag on Harney Avenue has left St. Louis residents horrified and demanding answers.
While investigators work to identify the victim and determine how she died, families in North City remain fearful of growing violence in their neighborhoods.
As police continue their investigation, community members are calling for more patrols, stronger crime prevention measures, and justice for the victim.
Until then, the disturbing image of a life lost and left on a neighborhood street will serve as a grim reminder of the urgent need to address safety in St. Louis.