The body of a tattooed woman was discovered inside a refrigerator that had been abandoned in the woods of New Jersey, prompting authorities to seek the public’s assistance in identifying her. The unsettling find was made in Belleplain State Forest in Dennis Township, where the victim’s remains were found alongside a distinctive yoga mat and necklace. The woman, believed to be either Caucasian or Hispanic, stood approximately 5 feet, 1 inch tall and bore two notable tattoos: a koi fish on her right shoulder blade and a rose on her ribs, as detailed by NJ.com.
Law enforcement officials have not disclosed the cause of death or provided further details on the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the body. However, a recent development in the case involves the arrest of a 46-year-old man named John Tyrrell, a resident of North Cape May and a registered sex offender. Tyrrell claimed to have come across the body on December 21 while hiking in the area and initially refused to cooperate with investigators by withholding his cell phone and refusing to be fingerprinted.
According to reports, Tyrrell allegedly removed something from the refrigerator before stumbling upon the victim’s body the following day. He then alerted the state police and led them to the location, where they found the deceased woman. Despite his claims of being merely an eyewitness to the case, Tyrrell has been charged with fourth-degree obstruction and failure to comply with fingerprinting procedures, signaling a level of suspicion from law enforcement.
While Tyrrell has not been charged with the woman’s death, authorities have obtained a warrant to search his cell phone, citing his close proximity to the crime scene as a reason for the investigative step. The ongoing investigation has not provided any new updates, leaving many questions unanswered regarding the mysterious circumstances surrounding the woman’s death in the secluded New Jersey woods.
Tyrrell’s past criminal history includes a nine-year sentence for involuntary deviate sexual intercourse in Pennsylvania, where he was released from state prison in 2012. Despite the concerns raised by his involvement in the case, a judge decided to release Tyrrell with instructions to keep in contact with court officials, as reported by NJ.com.
For those with any relevant information or tips related to the case, authorities have urged individuals to contact the State Police Woodbine Station at 609-861-5698 or the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-465-1135 ext. 3480. The investigation into the identity of the tattooed woman and the circumstances of her death remains ongoing, with law enforcement seeking the cooperation of the public in bringing closure to this puzzling and tragic case.