Updated News Release-Deceased Woman Discovered on Train Identified As Missing Ohio Woman, 9.10.26

UPDATED News Release: Deceased Woman on Train Identified, 9.10.26

Update, 9/10/26 at 1:10 p.m.: This update is being sent on behalf of the Elkhart County Homicide Unit. The Elkhart County Homicide Unit confirms that the deceased woman located on top of a stopped train last week has been positively identified as Brittany Ritter, 37 years old of Holland, OH. Detectives learned through the investigation that she had been reported as missing to the Lucas County (OH) Sheriff’s Office.

Further investigation revealed that the train on which she was found had left from the east and traveled west before it stopped in Elkhart at the 2600 W. Lusher Ave train yard. At this time, the autopsy report is not yet complete. The Homicide Unit has turned over its investigation to the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office, where she had been reported missing.

Original Release, 9.3.26:

The Elkhart County Homicide Unit is investigating after a body was discovered on a train in the 2600 block of W. Lusher Ave, Elkhart.

This morning, at about 11:56 a.m., a Norfolk Southern Railway employee reported discovering an apparently deceased individual on top of a stopped train car in the train yard near 2600 W. Lusher Ave. Elkhart Police Department officers and first responders arrived on scene and confirmed that the individual, an unidentified woman, was already deceased.

The Elkhart County Homicide Unit was activated, per protocol, and is handling this investigation alongside Norfolk Southern Police, including determining her identity. This remains an ongoing investigation. Anyone with further information can contact the Homicide Unit at 574-295-2825 or NSPD at 1-800-453-2530. Further inquiries regarding the status of the investigation should also be directed to the Homicide Unit.

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