PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – An investigation of a Portland woman found dead with a small child inside a car in Vancouver has led police to determine her death was a homicide, officials announced Thursday.

Authorities responded to the area of 300 North Blandford Drive after receiving a report that a woman appeared to be dead inside a car on Friday, Nov. 1.

When officers arrived, they found the woman’s body with a small child that "did not appear to be physically injured," according to police.

The Clark County Medical Examiner has identified the woman as 31-year-old Courtney Valencia Clinton on Thursday, Nov. 7. According to the report, she had been "assaulted by another person" and left with "incised wounds of the neck."

Detectives are investigating the woman’s death as a homicide.

“The child that was located inside the vehicle is safe and is being cared for by family members,” according to police.

Anyone with information about this woman’s death is encouraged to contact Vancouver police.

A family in mourning, a community in shock

Clinton's family members told KOIN 6 News that they are still mourning the loss of the mother of three.

Her car was found beyond Highway 14 in Vancouver on North Blandford Drive near a popular dog park.

"I'm telling you what, I'm shocked," said Loren Hanggi, who frequents the park.

Hanggi said he uses the park twice a day. He said things seemed off on the morning of when Clinton's body was discovered. The road he normally uses to get to the park was blocked off.

"When I leave here, I drive up the street that we're talking about where the lady was found murdered, and I drive up there. And I actually may have noticed her car but I didn't pay any attention," Hanggi said.

He and his friends said they don't know much about what happened but hope Clinton's children are doing ok.

"It's an unbelievably bad deal for this young lady to be murdered here," Hanggi said.

Clinton's family members said that Clinton's three kids are doing fine.