Landfill woman was just down in the dumps

updated 4:20 p.m. ET April 25, 2006

KENNEWICK, Wash. - A Washington state woman who claimed she was kidnapped and dumped in a Ukiah, Calif., landfill made the story up, investigators said.

Rebecca Huston, 32, of Kennewick, Wash., on Monday gave investigators a four-page signed statement admitting her story was a hoax.

"She was open and honest, but sadly after the fact," said Kennewick Police Sgt. Randy Maynard.

Maynard said Huston, during an interview Monday, said she was suffering from depression. On her way to work April 13, Huston told police she suddenly decided to abandon her job and drive down the West Coast on her own.

Maynard said Huston could be charged with making a false police report.

"But I doubt that will happen. While we will ask the city attorney to review the case, we generally don't try and prosecute cases involving mental health issues," Maynard said.

Mendocino County, Calif., Sheriff Kevin Broin agreed Monday.

"As far as we're concerned, the case is closed," Broin said.

Huston was found early April 18 in a mound of trash at a garbage transfer station in Ukiah. A garbage truck had scooped up the bin Huston had crawled into outside a supermarket the night before, and hauled it to the transfer station about four miles away.

Huston initially told California authorities she had been the victim of a carjacking. She claimed an armed masked man forced his way into her car, and ordered her to drive down the coast to California. Once in Ukiah, Huston said the man forced her to climb into the garbage dumpster and then fled. Her car was found nearby.

An employee at the Ukiah Transfer Station, about 100 miles north of San Francisco on Highway 101, saw Huston's feet sticking out from a garbage pile.

Huston spent two days at Ukiah Valley Medical Center, where she was treated for bruises and lacerations.

Washington and California officials had suspicions about Huston's tale but investigated the case as a kidnapping.

MORE FROM WEIRD NEWS

Weird news Section Front

House disappears; Irishman gets just $69,000 4 Australians face charges after auto 'body' wash Woman passes driver's test on 950th try Vanished Persian army said found in desert Man provides photo for his own wanted poster World’s scariest foods Airplane part falls onto N.Y. home’s front lawn Miss. gov’s son gets 2 holes-in-one in one round SUV sideswipes elephant in Oklahoma Giant snake capture in Florida was a hoax Weird news Section Front   Add Weird news headlines to your news reader: