Police seek suspect after woman's body found in Miami-Dade

MIAMI – Police are investigating after they discovered a woman's body in a construction site in Miami.

The body was found at 7:52 a.m. Saturday at the construction site in the 28200 block of Southwest 144th Avenue.

According to investigators, witnesses saw a commercial truck traveling east bound on Southwest 288th Street

As the truck made a left turn at Southwest 144th Avenue, witnesses told police what appeared to be a body fell out from the passenger side of the truck.

"The subject stopped the vehicle, got out and picked up the female, and put her back inside the vehicle," said Det. Robin Pinkard.

Police said the truck then continued northbound on Southwest 144th Avenue. Witnesses told police they lost sight of the truck moments later.

Officers responded to the area and discovered the 18-year-old woman's body in a construction site. She was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.

Witnesses also told investigators they saw what appeared to be a 2- or 3-year-old child in the truck as this incident occurred. Investigators said they are concerned for the welfare of the child and are seeking the help of the community in finding the child.

The cause of the woman's death is unknown as police said the investigation continues.

Surveillance video captured a still image of the man's vehicle around 4:40 a.m. Saturday. Police said the vehicle had an open-caged cargo bed equipped with a roll-up tarp. The driver-side door also had writing on the door only.

Joann Davis said she never thought much about the commercial truck that's no stranger to her leisure city neighborhood until she saw the photo. Davis said the last time she saw the truck come through was last week.

"I see this truck come through here all the time," said Davis.

Davis said she saw the truck before at the construction site where the woman's body was found.

"It would be parked on the side of the construction site, yes, right across the street from me," Davis said. "It's like I haven't gotten over the shock, you know?"

As shocking as this all sound to longtime neighbor Mary Maldanado, she said the crime comes as no surprise.

"I mean, they find bodies around here all the time," said Maldanado.

"What's going on in my neighborhood?" asked retired law enforcement officer Javier Valez.

Investigators are also asking for the public's help in identifying or finding this man.

The suspect was described by police as a man in his 30s who is 5-foot 9-inches tall and has black hair. Police said the man wore a dark-colored T-shirt and jeans at the time of the incident.