Body Found in Storage Bin Was Missing Woman: Police

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — Gwinnett County Police have identified the woman whose body was found Thursday stuffed in a storage bin.

Salathiel Zeno, 42, of Lawrenceville, had been reported missing on New Year's Day by her husband.

The husband had not spoken to his estranged wife since the beginning of December and, prior to their phone contact, he had not seen her for months, police said.

A resident of the 800 block of James Road in Lawrenceville called police shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday, saying he had found the woman's body in the bin in his front yard.

Police said in a news release that the body was beginning to show signs of decomposition. They believe the body was transported to the location and dumped there.

The Gwinnett County medical examiner was continuing to work Friday to determine the cause of death in the case.

There were not obvious signs of trauma or gunshot wounds, according to police. The medical examiner believes the death took place 3-5 days before Zeno's body was found.

"At this point, detectives are exploring every possible theory in the case and are working on a victimology to paint a clear picture of the victim's past," police spokesman Cpl. Deon Washington said.

Photo courtesy Gwinnett County Police