Woman found in landfill admits kidnapping hoax

KENNEWICK – 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, 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.