A woman found in an abandoned house almost 20 years ago has finally been identified. Police fear she was the victim of a serial killer

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A woman whose remains were found in a Michigan house nearly two decades ago has been identified – and police believe she could be the victim of a serial killer. open image in gallery Darylnn Washington died just days before her remains were found in June 1996 When Washington’s remains were first discovered at the abandoned house on the east side of Detroit, it was determined that she was a Black female between the ages of 20 and 30 years and that she was about five feet tall. Washington’s death was ruled a homicide and authorities said it was believed she was a victim of Detroit-area serial killer Shelly Brooks, who allegedly confessed to the murder, according to the release. open image in gallery It’s believed Washington was a victim of Detroit-area serial killer Shelly Brooks, who allegedly confessed to the murder “All their bodies were found in remote locations in Detroit: an abandoned apartment building, a vacant garage, an alley, a vacant field, and a vacant house,” the Michigan Court of Appeals said in a summary in 2008.