CLEVELAND — The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner has identified the dismembered body foundburning near railroad tracks in Cleveland’s South Collinwood neighborhood on Feb. 19.
The body was identified as Benette R. Smith, 54 formerly of Painesville. Her death is being investigated as a suspected homicide, according to the medical examiner. Her last known residence was in Cleveland, and the last time she had a Painesville address was in 2004, according to city officials. In an earlier version of this story, the medical examiner identified her as a Painesville woman.
Firefighters were initially called to the area of Clermont and Larchmont Road around 4:20 a.m. on Feb. 18 morning to put out a brush fire. When they arrived, investigators say they found a dismembered body burning.
Days after the body was discovered, people in the surrounding neighborhood said the alley that runs back to the railroad tracks near where the body was discovered is frequently used for illegal dumping.
Anyone with information in the case is asked to call Cleveland police.
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