A woman found dead with her hands tied and her mouth gagged has finally been identified after almost three decades. The 'lady in the fridge' was discovered 27 years ago - her body stuffed into a refrigerator which was then dumped into the water of a canal.
It was thought at the time she had been there for up to a year. She had no identification on her and despite years of searching to discover who she was detectives hunting to solve the case in San Joaquin County, USA, had drawns a blank.
But now they have finally been able to "give her her name back" after DNA expertise has helped find out her identity. Speaking at a press conference Sheriff Patrick Withrow said: "We have identified a young woman who was found 27 years ago, murdered in our county.
"I'd just like to take this time right now to give her her name back, to give her her story back. We have identified her through modern technology.
"Her name is Amanda. Amanda Lynn Schumann Deza."
But despite now knowing who she is there is still little information about the woman behind the tragic mystery. The briefing was told while people did look for the young woman a missing person's report was never filed.
Now they are hoping the identification of the Lady in the fridge will help them find the killer who took her life. Lt. Linda Jimenez, who heads the cold case unit, said: "Amanda is a daughter, she's a sister, she's a mother, she's a friend.
"And there's many of you out there who know and have information about her life, the activities she was involved with, the friendships that she had, as well as any intimate relationships."
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Sheriff Withrow added: "We still need help in this case. we just need one little piece of it.
"Somebody out there might know - that could reach out to us and give us that final piece that we can solve and bring to justice the person who had done this."
A reward of up to $10,000 is being offered by the Stockton CrimeStoppers. The Sheriff's office is urging the public to contact them for any information at 209-468-5087; callers can remain anonymous or by email at coldcase@sjgov.org.
