BURLINGTON, N.C. — Burlington Police believe the body of a missing woman may be at the Uwharrie Environmental landfill.
Police believe 30-year-old Stephanie Cox died in a dumpster diving incident, and that her remains were transported to the landfill.
Investigators say Cox was reported missing to Greensboro police by her family on January 30. Burlington officers responded to the Alamance Crossing shopping center on Boone Station Drive concerning Cox's disappearance.
Police say surveillance video showed Cox arriving at the Five Below sometime after midnight on the day she was reported missing. They think she got inside the dumpster to collect items, and never got out before a truck arrived to service the dumpster at 1:47 a.m. Police say no one else was seen on the property until the truck arrived and foul play is not suspected.
Cox's family told police it wasn't uncommon for her to collect items from local dumpsters.
Police say the processing center at the landfill is fully cooperating with the investigation. A search party will be deployed on Tuesday, February 4 to assist in the attempted recovery.
Police say this case highlights the dangers associated with collecting items from dumpsters, and the commonly known practice of "dumpster diving" is not safe.
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