Police Identify Woman Found Dead In Recycling Bin

HOUSTON, TX — A woman whose body was found hidden inside a recycling bin in a man’s bedroom has been identified by the Harris County Institute of Forensic Science and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, investigators said.

The woman, identified as 23-year-old Irene Yemitan, was found Sept. 5 at a home in the 9600 block of Wellsworth Drive. Police said Yemitan had been strangled.

Police have charged 24-year-old Alex Jude Akpan with tampering with physical evidence after Akpan’s mother found Yemitan’s body. Prosecutors said Akpan could face a murder charge, depending on the autopsy results.

Akpan is in the Harris County Jail with his bond set at $10,000. Investigators said they suspected foul play in Yemitan’s death and appealed to have Akpan’s bail amount increased to $100,000, but that request was denied.

Akpan’s next scheduled court appearance is Oct. 8.

(For more news and information like this, subscribe to Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

Image: Shutterstock

Send your news tips and story ideas to bryan.kirk@patch.com