Authorities have confirmed to Channel 11 News that the girl’s body that was found in a North Side park earlier this week was covered in chemical burns.
The body of a naked 16-year-old was found by joggers Monday afternoon. The body was eventually identified as Teaira Whitehead, from Homewood.
Public safety spokeswoman Sonya Toler said Tuesday that police considered Whitehead's death suspicious because of a lack of information.
On Friday, District Attorney Stephen Zappala told Channel 11 News that Whitehead’s body was burned with bleach -- meaning it looks like someone was trying to destroy evidence.
“What struck me is that the body was burned with bleach. That usually indicates that someone has assaulted someone else and they’re trying to eliminate DNA,” Zappala said.
Known as TT, the teen last had contact with her family Sunday night. Zappala said his investigators have teamed with the Pittsburgh Police Homicide Squad to investigate.
“That’s possible,” Zappala said when asked if a drug overdose could have played a role in Whitehead’s death.
Zappala also indicated strong suspect leads in the case.
“There are several people that we are chasing around right now that she was associated with. There are a number of people she ran with that were drug addicts. We’re trying to track those people down now,” Zappala said.
Anyone with information on the investigation is asked to contact authorities.
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