Cambria County investigators are asking for the public’s help as they try to uncover what led to the shooting death of a teenage girl who was found in a car in the middle of a Johnstown street.
In a press conference Monday afternoon, authorities identified the teen as 19-year-old Jaydin Sanderson of Ferndale.
Police say Sanderson was found around 11 a.m. on New Year’s Day after someone called 911 and reported an unconscious person in a vehicle on the 600 block of Wood Street.
According to Cambria County Coroner Jeff Lees, Sanderson was found in the front, driver’s seat of the vehicle with a gunshot wound to her head.
He says an autopsy was performed Sunday at Forensic DX in Windber and he has ruled death a homicide.
He adds that she had been dead for several hours before she was found.
Cambria County District Attorney Greg Neugebauer described Sanderson as a young woman, still in high school, who was trying to better herself.
He said she was working part time at a local hotel.
Investigators are asking anyone with information to come forward.
They say you can contact Johnstown police by texting “JPD” to 847411 or by calling Cambria County’s non-emergency number at 814-472-2100.
