GLEN BURNIE, Md. — Human remains found last fall in Glen Burnie were identified as a woman reported missing Oct. 13, 2018, Anne Arundel County Police said.
The remains were found at about 6 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2018, by someone walking their dog along the shoreline near the 1400 block of Furnace Avenue, police said. The Homicide Unit and Evidence Collection Unit responded to the scene to investigate. The remains were taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for examination and identification. Police continued to search the area on land and water during the next several weeks in the hopes of finding additional remains.
On Jan. 7, 2019, the Anne Arundel County Police Crime Forensic Services Section used DNA to identify the remains as those of 45-year-old Melanie Faith Meleney.
"Initially there weren't really any suspicious factors apart from her not being seen by her loved ones, but her loved ones thought it important enough the a day later to report her missing," Marc Limansky, a spokesman for the police department, said.
Meleney was reported missing by her son on Oct. 13, 2018. Police responded to the family’s residence in the 8000 block of Green Orchard Road. The son said he has last seen his mother two days prior to reporting her missing. Another witness said Meleney was seen on Oct. 12, as well.
Meleney’s cause of death is being examined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner and the Anne Arundel County Homicide Unit. Police have conducted several interviews and warranted searches during the last few months as part of their investigation.
"We have a suspicious death investigation. We don't know the cause and manner the remains were or how they came to be there or what transpired before this so it's still a very active and ongoing investigation," Limanksy said.
The family has requested privacy and asked their wishes to be respected, police said.
Police ask anyone who may have information about the active and ongoing investigation to contact the Homicide Unit at 410-222-4731, or call the anonymous tip line at 410-222-4700, or call Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7LOCKUP.
