By ZEINAB NAJM
Times-Herald Newspapers
HEIGHTS — Four suspects are in custody in Westland in connection with a badly beaten Westland woman’s body found Jan. 19 on Powers near John Daly Road.
Diedra Crawford, 46, of Westland was found about 1 a.m. by a passerby. Police were able to identify the woman using her fingerprints and notified her family.
“Her body was found wrapped with sheets and a nightgown and bruises on her face,” Police Chief Lee Gavin said. “It’s possible the body was dumped in the area.”
According to police, there were no footprints near the body, but they are examining tire tracks found in the snow.
The autopsy completed by the Wayne County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be a homicide due to blunt-force trauma.
The case was turned over to the Westland Police Department after it was determined the beating occurred in the woman’s home.
According to Westland police, a man entered police headquarters later that day and said he helped dump the body.
Westland police have three other suspects in custody but the investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with additional information can call the Westland Police Department at 734-722-9600.
(Zeinab Najm can be reached at [email protected].)