KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Police are investigating a woman's body that was found Thursday morning at 1701 Locust St.

Investigators said the body was in a trash bag on a sidewalk.

KMBC's Donna Pitman reported that a worker emptying trash at a business found the bag at about 8 a.m. and noticed it was heavy. Upon further inspection, he saw what looked like human hair in the bag and called police.

"It appears the body was dumped overnight," said Kansas City Officer Darin Snapp.

The gruesome discovery has shaken up residents.

"It was probably nine years ago this summer there was a dead body at the corner. For this to happen again, well, it's kind of scary," said Kevin Latham, who works nearby. "I can't understand something so tragic. People just dump you -- it's kind of unbelievable actually."

Officials identified the victim as Deena M. Pearson, 35, of Kansas City.

Detectives are investigating the case as a homicide and are asking anyone who may have seen Pearson Wednesday night to call the TIPS Hotline at (816) 474-8477.

This is the 37th homicide of 2005 in Kansas City, compared to 29 at the same time last year.