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Woman set on fire in Antioch identified

3 mins read

A young woman whose body was set on fire in Antioch has been identified. 

Mykaella Sharlman, 25, was reported missing on October 16 to the Antioch Police Department. The next day, her body was found burning on a paved walking trail near Lopez Drive. 

“To take her body and put it in a garbage can and then burn her, is one of the most heinous crimes that you can ever commit,” the victim’s sister, Nicole Eason, told KRON4. Local residents spotted the fire and called 911.

According to police, Sharlman was burned beyond recognition, and officers used her jewelry and dental records to figure out who she was. 

The victim was wearing this ring when she was set on fire. (Image courtesy Antioch Police Department)

Antioch police said two persons of interest were linked to Sharlman’s murder and are in custody.

The victim’s family had spoken up about the person she was. 

Sharlman was the youngest of seven siblings and had always looked after her niece and nephews. 

“She cared for them as if they were her own. She was our live-in babysitter,” Eason said. “Now, my mother and my father will never get the opportunity to walk her down the aisle, or her call and say she’s pregnant, or buying her first house.”

She was studying at Los Medanos College and dreamed of being a hair and makeup stylist. Her family suspects she’s been hanging out with the wrong kind of people. 

Investigators believe that Sharlman was killed before she was set on fire. 

“Drugs are out there — all over the place. I think that had some involvement. If I can say anything, I would tell all the millennials, the young people, that drugs are not the way to go,” Eason said.

Sharlman’s family members said they have not slept in days since her tragic death. “We’re having a rough time,” Eason said. “We’re not going rest until justice is sought and is found.”

The Antioch Police Department wrote, “We offer our deepest condolences to the family of this tragic and unfortunate incident. The Antioch Police Department Investigations Bureau would like to thank the public for their assistance in helping to identify Sharlman.”

The homicide investigation is still active and ongoing. Anyone with additional information related to this incident is asked to contact Detective Whitaker at wwhitaker@antiochca.gov or 925-779-6890.

You may also text-a-tip to 274637 (CRIMES) using the keyword “ANTIOCH.” All text tips are anonymous and cannot be traced to the sender.