Teenage Girl's Remains Discovered in Freezer Nearly Two Decades After Disappearance

 

Human remains found in a freezer at a property in Grand Junction, Colorado, have been identified as those of Amanda Leariel Overstreet, a teenage girl who went missing in April 2005. At the time of her disappearance, Amanda was just 16 years old.

The remains were uncovered when the new homeowner sought to sell the freezer online for free, prompting a collector to retrieve it. Upon opening the appliance, the individual discovered what were described as "the head and hands of a human," leading to a police investigation.

The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office responded to the report on January 12, and the coroner's office confirmed last week that the remains belonged to Amanda. According to the sheriff's office, she had never been officially reported missing, and her whereabouts had remained unknown for nearly two decades. “Amanda is believed to have been approximately 16 years old at the time of her disappearance,” the sheriff's office stated.

Investigators revealed that Amanda was the biological daughter of the property's previous owner, Leanne Overstreet Imer, whose late husband, Bradley Imer, was Amanda’s stepfather. The sheriff’s office indicated that forensic testing would be conducted on the remains to gather more information about the circumstances surrounding her death.

Following the grim discovery, the sheriff’s office emphasized that the current owner of the home is not connected to the previous case, as the property has since undergone renovations and has been sold. They urged the public to respect the privacy of the current owners and their neighbors, asking people to refrain from visiting the property or taking photographs.

At the time of the discovery, police were investigating the case as a potential homicide but cautioned against making assumptions. “We want to make sure that someone doesn’t find out their loved one has passed away through rumors and innuendo,” said agency spokeswoman Wendy Likes. As the investigation continues, authorities are focused on uncovering the truth behind Amanda Overstreet’s tragic fate.