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Woman's Body Found In Stairwell Behind Church

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A woman's body was discovered behind an abandoned Hazelwood church Friday afternoon.

The Allegheny County medical examiner's office identified the woman as 39-year-old Jennifer Polite. According to the medical examiner's office, Polite was homeless.

Crews gathered in the area of Second Avenue near Tecumseh Street Friday around 3 p.m.

Polite's body was found in a "stairwell area," according to KDKA's Ralph Iannotti.

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It is not clear what led to Polite's death, but the witness who discovered her told KDKA it was a gruesome sight, and she was drawn to the area by a strong odor.

"I freaked out, my heart started racing, I ran to second Avenue, called 911," Michelle Sapp said. She eventually led officers to the body. "It was secluded, you have to kind of walk towards the building to actually see where she is."

Police say Polite's body was badly decomposed.

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