CHICAGO () — Chicago police have opened an investigation after a woman was found dead inside a garbage can Saturday evening in the city’s Englewood neighborhood.
Officers responded to an alley near Union Avenue and 54th Street, where the woman’s body was discovered, police said.
Authorities have not yet released the victim’s identity. Relatives of Zenobia Weatherspoon, however, said they fear the woman may be her because of the clothing she appeared to be wearing.
Zenobia’s mother told ABC7 that her daughter had been missing for about three weeks. Family members and friends had been searching for her but were unable to find any trace of her.
On Saturday evening, police recovered the severely decomposed remains of a woman from a trash can in an alley only a few blocks from Zenobia’s home.
The family said they learned of the discovery after cellphone video showing the recovery began spreading on social media.
“It’s heartbreaking. It’s really heartbreaking,” said Javon Weatherspoon, Zenobia’s brother.
On Monday, friends and relatives gathered near 54th and Peoria to remember the woman they knew as Zee and share stories about her life.
“She the type of the person who would give you the shirt off her back, and that’s just the facts about Zee. Great person. We all loved her. We family,” said Jatara Leslie, Zenobia’s cousin.
Grief was mixed with anger on Monday night as Zenobia’s loved ones called for justice. A balloon release punctuated the vigil.
“She didn’t live a life for this to happen to her. It makes you scared of the neighborhood,” said Fatima McKay, Zenobia’s cousin. “We ask that no evidence goes unnoticed and that they treat this as if it was one of their daughters, their mothers, sisters, cousins. She was important to us… This family is going to make noise, and this is something that you will not get away with.”
The case has also sparked concern among residents and community activists.
“It’s just diabolical to me,” said Jasmine Smith of the Chicago Alliance Against Racism and Political Repression.
Troy Gaston of Black Lives Matter Chicago said news of the death prompted him to take action.
“To hear about this death right here just made me stop and come out here and try and find a way where we can see justice for her and her family,” Gaston said.
Smith called for accountability in the case.
“Who done this to this Black woman? Who done this?” Smith said. “She is somebody’s child. She’s somebody’s aunt. She’s somebody’s sister. Her life matters, and people need to understand that.”
Illinois state Sen. Lakesia Collins, who said she knows Weatherspoon, described the case as personal.
“It is very personal for me,” Collins said.
Collins said she is troubled by the death and by other unresolved cases involving missing or murdered women of color.
“This is one that I don’t understand at all, but there’s many Zenobias around this city around this state and all across this country, and I don’t want this case or any other case to unresolved,” Collins said.
As the investigation continues, Collins urged anyone with information or images related to the case to contact police.
Police are calling this a death investigation as they await the autopsy results not just to positively identify the remains, but also to determine cause of death.
Chicago police have not released additional details about the investigation.
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