Identity of dead Richmond woman confirmed

Body found outside Richmond Rite Aid Saturday

RICHMOND, Mich. – The identity of the woman whose body was found on the sidewalk outside of a Rite Aid in Richmond, Michigan, has been confirmed to be 22-year old Columbus Township native Samantha Jane Ward.

Read: Female body found on sidewalk in Richmond

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While arriving at work around 9:20 a.m. Saturday, employees of the Richmond Rite Aid discovered what they thought was a person laying in the sidewalk near the south end of the building. When police arrived, it was determined that the white female was dead.

The early investigation hasn't revealed any obvious signs of trauma. The girl was not appropriately dressed for the sub-zero temperatures as she lacked a hat, coat and gloves. The exact cause of death is not yet known.