Laura C Harris: Investigation launched as missing 16-year-old Virginia 'runaway' girl found dead in woods

CHESTERFIELD, VIRGINIA: Laura C Harris, a missing teenager from Virginia has been found dead in the woods.

Chesterfield police confirmed the news on Thursday, March 11, according to CBS 6.

Police find no signs of foul play in Laura C Harris' death

Police, according to the outlet, said there were no signs of foul play, but they were still investigating the 16-year-old's death.

Harris went missing earlier this week, said police. According to Chesterfield Police, Harris was registered as a runaway in their system, People reported. 

"At about 12.16 pm on March 7, police were called to the 2300 block of Charter Colony Parkway after a body was discovered in the area," a Chesterfield Police spokesperson said.

Sources informed the publication that the corpse was found on Thursday, March 11, approximately 100 yards away from the CVS pharmacy on Genito Road near Charter Colony Parkway.

How was Laura C Harris' body found?

As some contractors were driving past, they looked into the woods and spotted something that resembled a body, the station reported from the scene. 

They then reversed their vehicle and went to check it out. To their shock, they found a dead body in the woods, it added.

"I actually spoke with the fella that did see what appeared to be the body in the woods," the station journalist reported. 

"He said that it was by the grace of God that they drove by and just happened to look over there and saw it and told his boss to turn around," he added.

He said his boss thought he was joking around but when they came to see the reality, they called 911. 

GoFundMe campaign launched for Laura C Harris' mother 

John Sims set up a GoFundMe campaign for Johanna, Harris's mother, which has collected more than $40,000, surpassing its initial target of $20,000 by a large margin.

“Unfortunately a mother's worst nightmare came to a tragic ending today when she got notified that her daughter had been found in a wooded area near Charter Colony,” Sims wrote in the fundraiser description.

“Johanna is a amazing woman and even a better mom, she has a heart of gold and willing to help everyone in need," it added.

Chesterfield County police are asking anyone with information surrounding the case to contact them at 804-748-1251 or Crime Solvers at 804-748-0660.