17 July 2023 , 13:42
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A missing university graduate who vanished last month has been found dead in a quarry after leaving her jacket, shoes and mobile phone at home.
Amina Alhaj-Omar, 25, was discovered in a "remote area" behind a BP petrol station where she was last spotted on Wednesday after the Ohio State University student went missing on June 10.
Her disappearance led to a frantic search, but it was suspended 19 days later after all leads were exhausted, according to authorities at the time.
Police believe she could have gone into the quarry, which is believed to be very deep, after her sisters told authorities Amina loves to swim.
Her sister, Miriam Alhaj-Omar, previously said police found her jacket, shoes and mobile phone on the property.
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Amina, who graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminology before beginning her studies in social work, had "worked hard to pursue her admirable dream of fighting for people."
She had also interned with the victims of crime program at Community Refugee and Immigration Services (CRIS).
Amina Alhaj-Omar was found dead on Wednesday (Ohio Attorney General's Office)“Most people who truly knew Amina immediately remember her laugh – it was contagious and brought happiness to everyone in the room,” her obituary states.
“She had a way of making people feel comfortable and welcomed in any situation. Her personality was simply beautiful – a bubbly, shy, caring, funny, and loving human being inside and out.”
Amina's family penned an emotional tribute to their daughter, writing: "We are devastated by our immense loss, but we also thank God every single day for blessing us with the privilege of knowing and loving her beautiful soul for the last twenty-five years.
"At this time, we implore the aid of God to help us persevere through this great loss as well as give us the patience and strength to endure this great hardship.
The graduate vanished last month (The Columbus Dispatch)"We will be looking forward to opportunities arising from this horrible situation for we believe bad things happen for good reasons.
Police confirmed the investigation is still ongoing, but the search for the missing graduate has now concluded.
“While the investigation is still ongoing, the active search for Miss Omar has concluded", officers said.
Her death comes just days after missing Carlee Russell returned home on foot after mysteriously vanishing just moments after calling 911 to report a lone toddler walking along the side of a highway, according to police.
Mum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog
Amina Alhaj-Omar is seen on a store's CCTV camera (FOX 28)The 25-year-old disappeared at around 9.34pm on July 13 after she "stopped to check on the child and called a family member to report the same details" when she says she spotted achild walking along the side of I-459 South near mile marker 11, in Hoover, Alabama.
But now cops have revealed they received a call that Carlee had returned to her home by foot at around 10.44pm on Saturday evening after a frantic search for the missing mum was called off.
Police were called to the home, along with medics, who assessed and transported Carlee to a nearby hospital for evaluation.
Talitha Russell, Carlee Russell's mum, posted on Facebook Sunday morning that "God is faithful and He has answered (their) prayers."