WASHINGTON, D.C. — A woman discovered lifeless inside a Northeast D.C. dumpster over the weekend was the victim of homicide, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
The body of 62-year-old Donella Bryan of Northeast was found Saturday morning around 8:07 a.m. in the 1600 block of Maryland Avenue, Northeast. Officers responded to a call reporting an unconscious person and located Bryan inside the dumpster.
Emergency crews from DC Fire and EMS arrived at the scene but found no signs of life. The woman was pronounced dead at the location.
Following an autopsy, the medical examiner ruled the cause of death as blunt force trauma and asphyxiation. The manner of death was determined to be homicide.
Victim identified as Northeast D.C. resident
Authorities identified Bryan on Sunday as the victim in the case. The circumstances surrounding how she ended up in the dumpster have not been disclosed.
The homicide remains under investigation, with law enforcement seeking information from the public. A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for details that lead to an arrest and conviction in connection with the killing.
Anyone with relevant information is asked to call (202) 727-9099 or text tips anonymously to 50411.
Key Points
- Donella Bryan, 62, was found dead in a dumpster in Northeast D.C. on Saturday
- Cause of death was ruled as blunt force trauma and asphyxiation, classified as homicide
- Police are offering up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction
