Joanna Speaks: Oregon mom-of-three found dead by 'blunt force trauma' near abandoned barn
CLARK COUNTY, WASHINGTON: Authorities discovered the body of a missing mom of three outside an abandoned barn in Washington State earlier this month. Joanna Speaks, 32, from Oregon was found dead on April 8 outside a remote Ridgefield barn, and "there are indications the body was moved to this location," the Clark County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
The sheriff's office announced that the death of Joanna Speaks is now being investigated as a homicide. The woman died from blunt force trauma to the head and neck, the medical examiner said according to KGW-TV. "It just doesn't make sense," her sister Robyn Speaks said.
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What did the victim's stepsister say?
Ariel Hamby, Speaks' stepsister says, "It keeps me up at night thinking that whoever did this to her, blunt force trauma to the head and neck, I mean that is violent, and that person is walking around. You can definitely tell [the children are] sad. They've broken down the first couple of days, but now it's like they're trying to avoid talking about it."
Speaks leaves behind three children, including a 7-year-old girl and two teen boys. The family was last in contact with Speaks in March. No suspect has been arrested by the police yet. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact CCSO at 564-397-2847.
Family starts GoFundMe page
The family has started a GoFundMe page to help with her cremation and burial expenses. "Her children have made it clear that they would like to keep a piece of her with them, but also have a place to visit where her name and life will be engraved and never forgotten," reads part of the GoFundMe description. "We're hoping that we can at least give them that," it adds.
Boy missing after mother found dead at home
Meaww previously reported that a 2-year-old boy has been reported missing after his 20-year-old mother's body was inside their home in Florida in "a very violent homicide scene." An urgent search for Taylen Mosley is underway and the toddler was last seen on Wednesday, March 29 near the 11600 block of 4th Street North in St Petersburg. An amber alert has been issued by the St Petersburg Police as they say the toddler could be in danger. On March 30, his mother, Pashun Jeffrey, was discovered dead in their Florida apartment. According to authorities, the building manager was asked by a family member to check on them and later found her dead inside, reported People.
Police Chief Anthony Holloway said that the search for the boy is jointly conducted by county, federal, and state authorities. Drones and sniffer dogs are deployed for the search. The police chief said, "It's very urgent, it's all hands on deck right now," and added, "We want to bring this child home." Holloway revealed that the scene of the crime was "very violent on the inside" and said that there were serious concerns for the toddler's safety.