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SEATTLE — A Utah woman visiting Washington was found dead inside a duffel bag outside an apartment near Seattle Monday morning, police said.

23-year-old Jenna K. Ferguson's decomposed body was found by an apartment complex maintenance worker around 8:30 a.m., according to King County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Stan Seo.

The King County Medical Examiner's Office identified the body Thursday and estimated that she died July 20. Seo said he believes Ferguson is from the Payson area.

Ferguson was in the area to go to a church-based rehab center and was last seen either July 7 or 8 at the Gethsemane Ministries Church in Seattle.

Ferguson had walked away from the program at that time, Seo said.

Based on the decomposition, police do not believe she died immediately after leaving, but are trying to determine what she was doing, where she was and whom she was with during that time.

Ferguson's aunt, Cody Dame, released the following statement from the family.

"Jenna's family is heartbroken. Jenna was a generous, tender, loving person who could make anyone laugh. We are touched by the tremendous love and outpourings of kindness we are receiving. Please respect our sorrow and privacy as we struggle through this very difficult time. An investigation is occurring. We have no new information at this time."

Police do not know the cause of death, and it is under investigation as a possible homicide, Seo said. They do not believe this case is related to the body found in a suitcase in a neighboring area two months ago.

Seo said they are hoping to talk to people who were in contact with Ferguson between July 7 and 8 and when she died, whether it was over social media, the phone or in person.

A search of Utah state court records indicate that in 2012 Ferguson was convicted of misdemeanor charges including theft, shoplifting, and possession of a controlled substance. She pleaded guilty in 2012 to burglary and theft, both amended to third-degree felonies, along with theft by deception, a class A misdemeanor. She served 10 days in Utah County Jail and ordered three years of probation. The case was closed in November 2014.

Ferguson's most recent charge was for attempted retail theft, a class A misdemeanor. She pleaded guilty in September.

If anybody has information regarding Ferguson's death, they are asked to call the King County Sheriff's Office at 206 296-3311.

Contributing: Dave Cawley, McKenzie Romero

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