Body Found Near Commons Identified

April 27, 2016

A 42-year-old Traverse City woman whose body was discovered Monday near The Village at Grand Traverse Commons has been identified as Mary Watkins Russell.

Russell, whom authorities say was homeless, had been living in the Traverse City area since 2011. Her body was found lying outside a tent by a hiker Monday morning near what's called the Men's Trail by Eleventh and Division streets.

A preliminary autopsy indicates the cause of death was likely natural, specifically coronary artery disease. However, an official cause of death won't be determined until toxicology reports are returned. Traverse City police say that process could take up to another two weeks.

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