Oregon woman found dead near abandoned barn in Washington

CLARK COUNTY, Wash. (TCD) -- Investigators are searching for answers after a 32-year-old woman was found dead near an abandoned barn with blunt force injuries earlier this month.

On April 8, just before 6 p.m., Ridgefield Police Department officers and Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue officials received a call about a deceased person found on an abandoned property close to the 8000 block of South 5th Street. Ridgefield Police then contacted the Clark County Sheriff's Office's Major Crimes Unit and Vancouver Police Department's Major Crimes Unit to assist in the investigation.

Ten days later, on April 18, the Clark County Medical Examiner's Office positively identified the victim as Oregon resident Joanna Speaks. The Sheriff's Office said investigators found her body near an abandoned barn, but there are "indications the body was moved to this location."

KOIN-TV reports the Clark County Medical Examiner's Office determined Speaks suffered blunt force trauma to her head and neck and said her manner of death was homicide.

According to KGW-TV, Speaks had three children and seven siblings. She reportedly dealt with addiction and last spoke with her family in March.

MORE:

• Detectives requesting public assistance in Ridgefield death investigation - Clark County Sheriff's Office
• Coroner: Woman found near abandoned Ridgefield barn died from head, neck injuries - KOIN
• Family of Oregon mother whose body was found near Ridgefield seeking justice - KGW