Former Miss North Dakota USA found dead in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Former Miss North Dakota USA Samantha Edwards was found dead at a Minneapolis home Tuesday morning. 

Minneapolis police confirmed officers responded to a report of a deceased adult female in a home on the 1700 block of Upton Avenue North at 7:45 a.m. The Hennepin County medical examiner's office confirmed it was 37-year-old Samantha Edwards.

A heavily-redacted police report indicates the woman was found dead, a sergeant was notified, and the medical examiner took custody of the body. The cause and manner of death remain under investigation. 

Edwards was crowned Miss North Dakota USA in 2003. The Miss USA and Miss Teen USA organization posted a tribute to Edwards on Facebook, calling her one of the most "vibrant, energetic, and full-loving" women to ever hold one of the state Miss USA titles. 
 

Edwards' sister and best friend have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover her funeral expenses.