Hunter finds woman's remains behind SJ mall

A hunter roaming woods in Egg Harbor Township discovered the remains of woman's body in an area behind the Shore Mall over the weekend, according to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office.

The hunter, who is also a local police officer, came upon the body stuffed in a suitcase about 1:30 p.m. Sunday. The area was near Broadway Ave.

The State Medical Examiner's Office collected the remains for an autopsy. But, because the body was so badly decomposed, a medical anthropologist for the state was also consulted.

The age and race of the woman have not been determined, but authorities were able to identify several tattoos. Authorities were not yet ready to release pictures of the tattoos.

The find is being investigated as a homicide.

Authorities ask anyone with information, or who might have noticed suspicious activity in the area, to call the prosecutor's Major Crimes Unit at 609-909-7666 or 609-909-7800.