A woman whose body was found in a nature preserve over the weekend has been identified by Maplewood police as 54-year-old Victoria Thacker DeConwi.
The body of DeConwi, also known as Victoria Ann Thacker Conwi, was found around 3:20 p.m. Saturday in a creek bed at Kohlman Creek Preserve, which is on the southwest corner of Hazelwood Street and Beam Avenue, near Maplewood Mall, according to a news release.
A man hunting for shed deer antlers spotted the body about 30 yards from a paved walking path near a steep embankment.
The Ramsey County medical examiners office was able to identify the body Sunday. A final determination of DeConwi's cause of death is pending toxicology tests, but authorities have ruled out foul play.
DeConwi moved from Washington State to Minnesota in 2012. She is believed to have been homeless.
"Investigators have learned that Ms. Thacker DeConwi had a long history of personal struggles," said Police Commander Mike Shortreed, who oversees the department's investigations unit, in a statement. "Unfortunately, we will not likely determine the reason Ms. Thacker DeConwi was walking in the area her body was located."
NICOLE NORFLEET
