Authorities in Virginia say they found a body as they searched a residential area in hopes of finding a missing local woman.
According to the Virginian Pilot, 22-year-old Denise Martin was last seen by her father near their Virginia Beach area home on June 19.
Police staged a search perimeter on Wednesday morning less than a mile from her home in Red Mill. As members of the search team scoured the area along Edgehille Avenue in a residential neighborhood, they reportedly found what appeared to be a human body in an area near two cul-de-sacs.
The discovery came at about 9 a.m., according to reports, and medical examiners reported to the scene to assist in the investigation. As of the latest updates available, the deceased individual had not been identified and no cause of death had been announced.
A police spokesperson said the condition of the remains did not allow officials to make an immediate identification.
Local authorities have received multiple reports of sightings in the days since Martin went missing. Her family members and friends have organized searches in the area throughout her disappearance.
She reportedly lived with her father and brother at the time of her disappearance. Her cellphone, keys and wallet were still at the home.
♦️#Missing #VirginiaBeach #Virginia Denise Martin was last seen by her dad on June 19 at 7am at their Red Mill home. Denise's cell phone, car keys, wallet with her ID & debit cards, and car were all left at home. Denise sometimes wears black glasses. Her hair is medium length. pic.twitter.com/OQCMBTMXwR
— Case Warriors (@CaseWarriors) June 20, 2018
The latest police updates do not indicate Martin was suicidal at the time of her disappearance and investigators have not announced any evidence suggesting she was taken against her will.
A graduate of Kellam High School, reports indicate Martin recently earned a degree from Longwood University.
[Featured image: Denise Martin, handout]
