Updated after the jump with details about how she was found.

A nude body discovered at the side of a freeway off-ramp in Boyle Heights belongs to a 17-year-old girl, authorities said late Tuesday.

LAPD officials told TV news crews Tuesday the girl had tattoos. Her remains were found 11:40 p.m. Monday in a plastic tub in the bushes next to the State Street off-ramp of the southbound 5 freeway in Boyle Heights, according to police and reports.

Some outlets, including KTLA News, stated it appeared the container fell or was pushed from a moving vehicle.

The container was broken and open when they came upon it, cops said.

The girl's identity was not released.


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Police originally said the victim appeared to be homeless.

Update: She has been identified as 17-year-old Michelle Lozano of Boyle Heights.

Update No. 2: According to an LAPD statement issued Wednesday afternoon, ” … The victim had been wrapped in plastic bags and stuffed in a plastic container. The container had then been dumped over a concrete barrier along the freeway. When it hit the ground, the container broke open and spilled the girl's body into the shrubs.”

While the 5 foot, 6 inch, 130 pound girl has “distinctive tattoos,” the LAPD would not confirm the identity published here and elsewhere.

Police said there were no obvious signs of trauma.

Originally posted at 7:02 a.m. on Wednesday, April 27.

-With reporting from City News Service. Got news? Email us. Follow us on Twitter, too: @dennisjromero.

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