As investigators search for the person who dumped a woman’s body on the side of a road in southwest Miami-Dade, the victim’s mother is speaking out, saying her daughter struggled with mental illness.
The body of 27-year-old Tania Charles was found around 5:40 a.m. Friday in the area of Southwest 170th Street and 98th Avenue, Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office officials said Monday.
“I just want to know how she died,” Ulna Charles said.
On Monday, MDSO released a flyer with Tania Charles’ name and picture, hoping to get clues on what happened to her.
“It was literally in front of these pipes right there,” he said.
His workers called for help once they saw her on the ground, not moving.
“Visibly beaten, naked, thrown on the ground like she didn’t matter. It’s horrific,” he said.
A woman whose body was tossed onto a roadway in southwest Miami-Dade has been identified as detectives continue to investigate her death.
Von Paulus shared surveillance video that shows what appears to be the body being thrown onto the street from a pick-up truck. Moments later, he truck drives off.
“You don’t really know how to react. I read novels. I see movies, but you don’t actually think this could happen next door to you,” he said.
Some of his workers say they used to see the victim around the area and believe she may have been homeless, von Paulus said.
Ulna Charles said her daughter had schizophrenia. She would come home for a few days at a time, then would disappear.
“He’s gotta turn himself in. You’ve got consequences for your actions,” von Paulus said.
A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.