16-year-old girl last seen in 2005 whose body parts were discovered in freezer was 'never reported as missing'

A 16-year-old girl whose body was discovered in a freezer in January was never reported missing.

In January, a Colorado couple moved into their new home and made a very gruesome discovery - the head and hands of Amanda Leariel Overstreet.

The property on 2900 block of Pinyon Avenue was previously owned by Overstreet's parents.

They left the freezer when they moved and sold the house in Grand Junction to someone else.

It's believed that Overstreet disappeared at the age of 16 almost two decades ago in 2005, according to Mesa County Sheriff's Office.

The late teen was formally identified in recent weeks, with the Sheriff's Office releasing a statement on October 11.

Despite not having been seen since 2005, it isn't thought Overstreet's family ever reported her missing.

A statement from the Sheriff's Office read: "On January 12, 2024, the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call regarding a suspicious incident in the 2900 block of Pinyon Avenue.

"Upon arrival, Deputies found the head and hands of a human had been discovered in a freezer by someone who arrived to claim the free appliance offered by the new owner of the recently sold home."

The property where Amanda Leariel Overstreet's remains were found (Google Maps)

It went on: "On October 11, 2024, the Mesa County Coroner’s Office released the identity of the victim of the Pinyon Avenue Homicide case. Through DNA testing, the victim is identified as Amanda Leariel Overstreet.

"Amanda is believed to have been approximately 16 years old at the time of her disappearance. Overstreet has not been seen or heard from since April 2005. Amanda Overstreet was the biological daughter of the previous owner of the home.

"The circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain under investigation, as well as ongoing forensic testing of evidence.

"There is no record that Amanda Overstreet was ever reported missing."

Police have launched an investigation into the teen's death (Getty Stock)

Doubling down on there being no evidence that the teenager was ever reported as missing to the police, Mesa County Sheriff's Office public information officer, Wendy Likes, told CPR News: "A child went missing and there's no record that anyone reported her missing, and that's very sad."

Addressing the ongoing investigation, Likes continued: "We want to be sure that it's a thorough investigation, that we get all the details and the facts right."

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.