Vehicle of interest seized after kidnapped woman found dead in St. Louis

SF. LOUIS, Mo. (First Alert 4) – A woman found dead in St. Louis was abducted from Clayton, St. Louis police said. Louis.

A suspect is still being sought, but police said a vehicle of interest has been seized. Police also said the victim’s car was recovered Wednesday evening.

The victim’s identity was officially released by police Thursday afternoon as Michelle Hampton, 37; however, a friend and her family publicly identified her on Wednesday.

Colleen Hayden said she became best friends with Hampton nearly four years ago, working together until the day Hampton was killed.

“I already miss her so much and the last thing I said to her was see you tomorrow,” Hayden said.

Police are asking the community to be patient as the investigation is still in its early stages.

“She was really kind and honest,” Hayden said. “She was always there for me and supported me.”

The Metropolitan Police of St. Louis said Hampton was kidnapped around 7 a.m. Wednesday by an armed suspect from Whitburn Drive in Clayton. While the circumstances of that incident are still under investigation, the suspect is accused of forcing Hampton to drive to St. Louis.

“They didn’t know who it was and they had no idea who was going to do it,” Hayden said.

A family member from Hampton saw the incident in Clayton. The family member followed the suspect and was on the phone with emergency operators during the incident. The suspect is believed to have shot the family member near the area of Euclid and Enright, police said.

Police calls to work show it happened just before 7:30 a.m., less than half an hour after Hampton was abducted.

The family member, who Hayden said is Hampton’s twin sister and two grandchildren, was not injured.

“We had to clean the window out of her car, which was awful as it is,” Hayden said.

Hampton was found about 11 a.m. in the 4700 block of Greer Avenue, fatally shot.

“She was my best friend,” Hayden said.

SLMPD and Clayton Police are working together on this investigation.

Police stressed that the investigation is ongoing and anyone with information should contact the department or Crimestoppers.