A 21-year-old woman was found fatally shot early Sunday in a vacant parking lot alongside Interstate 35E in Denton County, police say.

Amanda Clairmont (via Instagram)

Corinth police identified the woman as Amanda Clairmont, a student at the University of North Texas.

Officers reported a suspicious vehicle in the lot in the 5700 block of the south Interstate 35E service road, near Church Drive, around 6 a.m. Sunday.

"It was parked up against the fence, lights on, passenger door was opened," police Lt. Jim Gregg told KXAS-TV (NBC5).

Inside, police found an unresponsive woman with apparent gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gregg said it was the first murder investigation in Corinth in 17 years.

Clairmont's father told NBC5 that she was a religious-studies major at UNT. According to her Instagram account, she also worked as a makeup artist.

"Our deepest, heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends of UNT student Amanda Clairmont," university president Neal Smatresk said in a statement. "Our hearts are heavy with the news of the tragic loss of her life."

"If the people we love are stolen from us, the way to have them live on is to never stop loving them." I LOVE YOU AMANDA❤️ — David Clairmont (@DavidClairmont) November 20, 2017

You were so goofy and we laughed at this Snapchat filter and this video for what seemed like hours. Your laughter filled any room with joy. Rest In Peace big sis, I know Mom welcomes you in heaven with a big hug. Love you forever and always. pic.twitter.com/gDPJGOt98e — Steph (@stephclairmont1) November 21, 2017

Authorities are investigating the death as a homicide. Anyone with information is asked to call Corinth police at 940-498-2017.