TROY, N.C. (AP) - Remains found at a landfill in North Carolina were believed to be a woman who police said climbed into a trash container to look for reusable items.
The body found Monday at Uwharrie Environmental in Montgomery County was believed to be Stephanie Cox, 30, Burlington police said in a post on social media.
Police said video evidence showed Cox was alone when she went into the dumpster behind a clothing store on Jan. 30. No one else was seen in the area until a truck came to service the trash container, police said.
Once it was determined that the remains had been taken to a processing center in Montgomery County, a search party had been deployed Tuesday to search for Cox. Inclement weather had halted search efforts since Thursday, and the search didn’t resume until Monday.
A medical examiner will determine a positive identification of the remains, police said.
Police said Cox’s family confirmed it was common for her to collect things from trash containers. Police said the case highlights the dangers of “dumpster diving.”
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