SHERIDAN, Colo. -- Authorities have identified a homeless woman killed near a popular Sheridan bike trail.

The death of Renee Liana Freel, 51, has been ruled a homicide, but authorities are withholding how she was killed because of the ongoing investigation, the Arapahoe County coroner said Tuesday.

Freel was a transient who may have been killed during a "domestic" clash in a wooded homeless encampment along the popular the Bear Creek Trail, Sheridan police Cmdr. Dave Ronco said Tuesday.

Her clothed body was discovered Saturday morning in the homeless camp concealed by trees and brush near the biking and walking trail that runs between Bear Creek and the Broken Tree Golf Course, Ronco said. The area is near the 2600 block of West Hampden Avenue.

A key lead that detectives are pursuing is that the woman was killed during a domestic altercation, he said. Her body had begun to decompose and investigators estimate she had been dead between 12 and 24 hours, Ronco said.

Asked if police have suspects, Ronco said, "We have several leads that we're following up on."

Police have about three or four witnesses -- area residents who did not see the killing but provided information, Ronco said.

Ronco said homeless people live in that area along the trail because the dense foliage conceals their camps.

"It's so heavily brushed that they can set up a tent or lay down, so that nobody can see them. So they feel safe," Ronco said.

There's also the creek and nearby South Platte River that affords water for drinking or cleaning up, he added.

Police don't believe there's an ongoing threat to people using the trail.

"I don't think anybody needs to fear for their safety at this point," Ronco said. "I think it's an isolated incident that we believe we have a handle on."

However, he said, "I want people to know that they always need to be cautious down there. Be aware of their surroundings."

If you see anything suspicious in that area, Ronco encouraged you to call police.

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