THURMONT, Md. — In June, hikers en route in Catoctin Mountain Park happened upon the remains of a dismembered woman. FBI officials have now identified the body as 21-year-old Joanna Michelle Amaya of Gaithersburg, Maryland.
A portion of the woman's body was discovered by hikers on June 12 in the area of the park, FBI officials said. They originally released a description of the woman, identifying her as having long, dark hair with braids and wearing a black tracksuit, wrist guard, red-colored Nike shoes and carrying a Puma handbag along with a set of keys that had an El Salvador keychain.
Through collaborative investigative efforts and work with the Baltimore Medical Examiner’s Office, the remains were determined to be Amaya, FBI officials said. However, the cause of death currently remains unknown.
The investigation is ongoing and the FBI asks anyone with information pertaining to the disappearance or death of Joanna Michelle Amaya to reach out. Please call the FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). You may also contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, or you can submit a tip online at tips@fbi.gov.