Ohio woman missing for nearly a year found dead under pile of clothes

CLEVELAND — Audreona Barnes, first reported missing in July, was found dead under a pile of clothes on a balcony.

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Cleveland police told WJW they were called to an apartment on Thursday evening after a cleaner had found a body on the home’s balcony. The cleaner had apparently moved a pile of clothes and found the body beneath them.

Cleveland police told WOIO the previous occupant of the apartment had been evicted in mid-March. The medical examiner did not list a cause of death, and police have not said how long the body may have been on the balcony.

Audreona Barnes was last seen on July 30, 2021, and last spoke to family that afternoon on the phone.

Warrensville Heights detective Gregory Curry, who is investigating the case, said Army recruiters picked Barnes up at her boyfriend’s home and returned her back there, but told WOIO it was unclear if Barnes went into the apartment or walked away. Barnes’ mother, Akua Avegnon, told WOIO that Avegnon’s boyfriend received a text from Barnes, but that it “didn’t seem like it came from her.” That was the last time anyone heard from Barnes.

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