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Print This StoryDog Drags Human Leg From Abandoned Factory
Memorial Service To Be Held For Slain Woman
POSTED: 8:29 pm EST February 22,
2005
UPDATED: 12:51 pm EST February 23,
2005
DETROIT -- A stray dog was found with a human leg in its mouth on Detroit's east side Tuesday afternoon.The remains may belong to Jalona Stafford, 19,whose body was found burned and dismembered inside an abandoned pickle factory last week, WDIV-TV reported.Neighbors said the dog was carrying a leg with the thigh attached to it, the station reported.
Video: Police React To Human Leg Discovery
Video: Family Wants Confirmation To 'Lay Her To Rest'
Video: Hear From Teen's Mother About Disappearance
"A dog was carrying the leg. He had to be chased," said Thelma Davis, who witnessed the animal coming from the building.Stafford was last seen by her family on the morning of Feb. 13 as she prepared to meet with her boyfriend, Jason Coleman, at an Econolodge Motel in Roseville, WDIV-TV reported. Witnesses said they saw Stafford (pictured, below) leaving the motel that night in a Dodge Neon following an argument.Police said the couple had an argument over a program on TV and Coleman choked her to death.A relative found the woman's Dodge Neon abandoned last Wednesday night.Police said after the car was found, Coleman confessed to the killing and led officers to the factory where he allegedly dumped and burned the body.
The victim's aunt, Juanita Stafford, said that police told her on Tuesday that they were not certain that the body part belonged to her niece.Police later recovered the body part. Officer James Tate said investigators believe the leg was removed before they discovered the body last Thursday."The body part that was found did have fresh bite wounds on it," Tate said. "At this point, (it appears) an animal took and hid the body part and we very well may have another that shows up."When asked why a police cadaver dog was not initially sent in to find missing body parts on the woman, Tate said, "We don't always send cadaver dogs into locations like this. That's the misconception."Coleman was charged with Stafford's murder on Friday. If convicted, he could face life in prison.Stafford's mother said that a memorial service for her daughter is scheduled for Friday.
Video: Police React To Human Leg DiscoveryVideo: Family Wants Confirmation To 'Lay Her To Rest'Video: Hear From Teen's Mother About Disappearance"A dog was carrying the leg. He had to be chased," said Thelma Davis, who witnessed the animal coming from the building.Stafford was last seen by her family on the morning of Feb. 13 as she prepared to meet with her boyfriend, Jason Coleman, at an Econolodge Motel in Roseville, WDIV-TV reported. Witnesses said they saw Stafford (pictured, below) leaving the motel that night in a Dodge Neon following an argument.Police said the couple had an argument over a program on TV and Coleman choked her to death.A relative found the woman's Dodge Neon abandoned last Wednesday night.Police said after the car was found, Coleman confessed to the killing and led officers to the factory where he allegedly dumped and burned the body.
The victim's aunt, Juanita Stafford, said that police told her on Tuesday that they were not certain that the body part belonged to her niece.Police later recovered the body part. Officer James Tate said investigators believe the leg was removed before they discovered the body last Thursday."The body part that was found did have fresh bite wounds on it," Tate said. "At this point, (it appears) an animal took and hid the body part and we very well may have another that shows up."When asked why a police cadaver dog was not initially sent in to find missing body parts on the woman, Tate said, "We don't always send cadaver dogs into locations like this. That's the misconception."Coleman was charged with Stafford's murder on Friday. If convicted, he could face life in prison.Stafford's mother said that a memorial service for her daughter is scheduled for Friday.Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
