New Year, Old Crimes

Well, it's 2010. Despite all the heavy-handed promises, ad campaigns, and snappy logos, 2010 did not bring a new era of change, betterment, and snazzy dog parks for Youngstown. I don't know if the whole Youngstown2010 plan extends until the end of the year, but considering Jay (!) ran out of demolition money in the first six months of his term, I'd say the whole thing has been treading water since the ink dried. No new Wick Park, just a PDF. Lots of Wean Foundation money being spread around, but little help to those who need it. White people wanting to buy up old houses cheap don't really rank high on the list of people who need grant money.

Yes, the whole green space and shrinking city thing has been evolving, but it's not like it is because of intrepid leaders. Paying for studies and bringing in experts has only told everyone what's already obvious. It's because of arson and a city that's basically engulfing itself, not unlike the Nothing of Neverending Story lore. And where's Youngstown's Atreyu? HE'S AT HOME, WASHING HIS TIGHTS!

So, getting that update out of the way, let's move on to important stuff. No, not the city's first homicide barely 48 hours into the new year ... or the suicide-by-cop-kinda death of the aptly named Pharoah Tutt less than 24 hours later. Or even the murder that just happened on the East Side yesterday. I want to talk about a murder that happened back in August 2008.

On the morning of Aug. 21, some degenerate dumped the dead, naked body of a woman in a garbage can on Michigan Avenue on Youngstown's North Side. A garbageman found her. Bearing no obvious signs of trauma, it was suggested she died from drugs, and whoever was with her panicked and dumped her body in the garbage. The sleeping frat boys and young people of the neighborhood saw nothing, apparently, as no hints came forth, and Jane Doe remained unknown. A probable identity emerged, but was eliminated. The late Captain Centorame was dedicated to finding her identity, but time soon ran out, and the woman was cremated anonymously.

Before worrying about the latest murders, putting us on the fast track to Murder Capital USA yet again, let's think about this one. The woman wasn't some young blonde with a shelf full of trophies and loving parents back home. She was someone most North Siders wouldn't look twice at. A year and a half after her death, most people have forgotten about her. I haven't. Let's try and find out who she was, and try to punish the a-holes who dumped her in the trash, only concerned about themselves.

Here's the details of the case, and the woman's description. Please call the YPD at 330-742-8251 or leave an anonymous tip at 330-746-CLUE. This case is just as low as it gets. If it was your aunt, your friend, your neighbor, you'd want to help.

http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/oct/31/public8217s-help-sought-to-identify-woman/