The Metropolitan Police Department is in the midst of an investigation following a pronouncedly grim discovery in Northeast D.C. On the morning of April 19, police were summoned to the 1600 block of Maryland Avenue, where an adult female was found unresponsive inside a dumpster, as detailed in an official release from the department.
Responding immediately, Fifth District officers arrived at the scene around 8:07 a.m. DC Fire and EMS were alerted, arriving shortly after to find that there were no signs of life in the victim. While the victim was still lying inside the dumpster, she was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Subsequent medical examination by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has determined that the woman, now identified as 62-year-old Donella Bryan of Northeast, D.C., succumbed to blunt force trauma alongside asphyxiation. The distressing death of Bryan was ruled a homicide on April 20, the day following her body's discovery, as per MPD statements.
The local community and Bryan’s acquaintances have been left to grapple with the loss, as the authorities push forward in their quest for answers. A reward up to $25,000 is now offered by the MPD to anyone with information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons found guilty of this horrific act. In an urge for public assistance, Metropolitan Police officials are asking individuals with any relevant knowledge to call (202) 727-9099 or send their tip via text to the Department's dedicated TEXT TIP LINE at 50411. With the investigation remaining active, every piece of information could help bring closure to a case riddled with sorrow and unanswered questions.
