Missing Oakland woman, 22, found dead beneath freeway

A 22-year-old woman whose badly burned remains were found beneath an East Bay freeway in July has been identified as Bailey Kristin Barnett of Oakland. Authorities are investigating her death as a homicide.

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California Highway Patrol officials confirmed to SFGATE on Wednesday that they are leading the investigation into the July 27 discovery near Hollis Street, along the Oakland-Emeryville border. Barnett had been staying at a transitional home in Oakland when she was reported missing. She had recently lived at a single room occupancy hotel near Lake Merritt, records show. Her last known contact with anyone was July 22, five days before her remains were found beneath Interstate 580 near the MacArthur Maze, Bay Area News Group first reported.

The remains were so badly damaged that investigators relied on DNA testing to establish her identity. Authorities have not publicly released her cause of death.

Investigators are pursuing several leads, including text messages found on Barnett’s phone from a man she apparently had recently met, including one that read, “How are you its the guy from yesterday,” authorities told Bay Area News Group. The messages were sent on the day she went missing. Authorities have not publicly identified the man or explained if they consider him a suspect.

The CHP said the discovery of the body came during an unrelated call for service.

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“As this investigation remains on-going, no further details are available at this time,” CHP officer Adib Zeid wrote in an email.

The agency encourages anyone who believes they have information that could help investigators to call its tip line at 707-917-4491.