MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – Miami Beach police are conducting a death investigation, authorities confirmed Tuesday morning.
According to Officer Christopher Bess, who is a spokesman for the police department, the victim was found in the area of 22nd Street and Liberty Avenue.
A source close to the investigation told Local 10 News that the victim is a woman, who was found dead by someone who works at the building she was found outside of.
Sources said the victim had severe head trauma and it appears she was beaten to death.
“It makes me feel horrible,” Miami Beach resident Daniela Tabbara told Local 10′s Liane Morejon. “It’s like, this could happen here, in a good neighborhood.”
It’s unclear if the victim was homeless, but one longtime Miami Beach resident said he has frequently seen homeless women in the area.
“Quite a few women sleep around here,” said Joerg Buccholz. “Who wouldn’t be sad? Anybody does not deserve to die in a park like this.”
Investigators placed several evidence markers around the victim’s body.
After the body was taken away by the Medical Examiner’s Office, a woman was seen mopping the area where the body was found, leaving the air smelling like bleach.
Police ask that anyone with information about the case calls the Miami Beach Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division at 305-673-7945 or Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-8477.