Update | 19-year-old found dead on railroad tracks south of Richland

A 19-year-old woman’s body was discovered on the railroad tracks in Badger Canyon early Monday.

Kolette Tipps of Kennewick was identified as the person found dead near 823 PR Southeast, Benton County Coroner Bill Leach told the Herald.

A BNSF conductor called authorities about 5:30 a.m. after seeing a body on the tracks, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook.

The railroad tracks run through a rural area south of Richland off East Badger Road nearly three miles from the interchange with Interstate 82.

Initial reports from the scene were that she had been possibly hit by an earlier train but it’s yet to be determined if that’s how she died.

No autopsy is being scheduled, but Leach said an examination is planned.

Tipps lived nearby, and family members have said it wasn’t unusual for her to walk around the neighborhood at night.

Deputies are continuing to investigate.

This story was originally published April 24, 2023 at 9:41 AM.