ROCHESTER, Minn. – A body found in a thawing snow pile at a Rochester school was that of a Northfield woman, police confirmed. Mercedez Christiana Rocha, 22, had been reported missing and perhaps homeless by Northfield authorities on February 17. Her cellphone had last pinged in northwest Rochester. There were no obvious external signs of trauma, police said. The body was found by a person out walking a dog.

Earlier: Body found in thawing snow at school

ROCHA Mercedez RST northfld woman in snwbank - Winona Journal

Rocha. Dead perhaps four weeks.

2022 03 17 rst body fiund snowbank - Winona Journal

Combing through snow. Police look for clues in far corner of school parking lot.