Body parts discovered in a freezer in Colorado belong to a 16-year-old girl who was last seen in 2005.

Authorities Confirm Identity of Remains Found in Colorado Freezer as Missing Teen

Authorities announced on Friday that body parts discovered in a freezer earlier this year at a Colorado home belonged to Amanda Leariel Overstreet, the 16-year-old daughter of the previous homeowner. Her death is currently being investigated as a homicide by the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office.

The unsettling find occurred in January after the home near Grand Junction was sold to a new owner, who later offered the freezer, left behind by the previous residents, for free. When the new owner checked inside, they discovered a head and forearms with hands still attached, prompting a call to deputies on January 12.

Amanda was last seen or heard from in April 2005, and the sheriff's office noted that there was no record of her being reported missing. "The circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain under investigation, as well as ongoing forensic testing of evidence," the sheriff's office stated.

The Mesa County coroner's office confirmed the identification of the remains but did not disclose a cause of death, citing an ongoing investigation. DNA analysis was used to confirm the identity of the remains, and authorities stated that the rest of her body has not yet been recovered.

Amanda had connections to both Grand Junction and Harris County, Texas. The sheriff's office emphasized that the current owner of the home is completely unrelated to the previous case. "The house was purchased, fully remodeled, and sold to the current owner," they clarified, urging the public to respect the privacy of the new occupants and avoid any intrusive actions, such as taking photos of the property.

Wendy Likes, a public information officer for the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, expressed sadness over the situation. “It’s incredibly sad that no one knew she was there... no one took the time to find out where this child was or what happened to her,” she stated. The investigation is expected to be lengthy, as additional forensic testing is required to answer the many questions surrounding Amanda's case.

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation is assisting with DNA and forensic testing as the investigation continues.