Meridian Community Mourns 45-Year-Old Shawna Helling Found Dead Inside U-Haul at Lowe’s Parking Lot

October 20, 2025 | Meridian, ID — The city of Meridian is in shock and mourning following the tragic and mysterious death of 45-year-old Shawna Helling, whose body was discovered inside a U-Haul vehicle parked at a Lowe’s Home Improvement store on Eagle Road late last week. The heartbreaking discovery has left loved ones reeling and a community searching for answers.

According to the Meridian Police Department, officers were called to the Lowe’s parking lot on Thursday evening, October 16, after a concerned passerby reported seeing an unresponsive woman inside a parked U-Haul truck. When officers arrived, they confirmed that the woman — later identified as Shawna Helling of Boise — was deceased. Authorities said she was “cold to the touch” when found, suggesting she had been dead for several hours before being discovered.

Police have not yet determined how long the vehicle had been in the parking lot, but investigators believe it may have been there since the previous night. An autopsy is being conducted by the Ada County Coroner’s Office to determine the cause and manner of death. Officials stated on Monday that while no foul play has been confirmed at this stage, “all possibilities remain on the table” pending toxicology results and further evidence review.

The discovery has stunned the Meridian community, where Shawna was known as a kind-hearted and hardworking woman who had fallen on difficult times but remained hopeful about turning her life around. Friends describe her as resilient, funny, and caring, someone who always found a way to make others smile despite her own struggles.

“Shawna had her ups and downs like anyone, but she never stopped trying,” said longtime friend Amber Lewis. “She was a beautiful person with a big heart. This just doesn’t feel real.”

Born and raised in Idaho, Shawna was deeply connected to her family and community. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, remembered for her nurturing spirit and selflessness. Those close to her say she loved nature, music, and spending quiet evenings with her loved ones. Her laughter and warmth, they said, could fill any room.

The Meridian Police Department has requested assistance from the public in piecing together Shawna’s final movements. Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage from the Lowe’s store and surrounding businesses and are asking anyone who may have seen the U-Haul truck parked in the area earlier in the week to come forward.

“We are working diligently to establish a timeline and identify anyone who may have been in contact with Ms. Helling prior to her death,” said Sgt. Mike Lopez of the Meridian PD. “We owe it to her and her family to find the truth.”

The case has struck a chord with many in the community, particularly those who have faced housing insecurity or hardship. Local outreach groups have expressed sorrow over Shawna’s passing, noting that her death underscores the urgent need for compassion and support for vulnerable residents.

A memorial vigil is being organized outside the Lowe’s on Eagle Road, where candles, flowers, and handwritten notes have already begun to appear. Community members plan to gather later this week to honor Shawna’s life and share memories of the woman they describe as “loving, spirited, and brave.”

Shawna’s family released a brief statement Monday, thanking the community for its outpouring of love and urging anyone with information to contact police. “We are heartbroken and lost without her,” the family wrote. “All we want is the truth — and for Shawna to be remembered for the love she gave, not the circumstances of her death.”

As Meridian comes to terms with this tragedy, one message resonates through every conversation and tribute: Shawna Helling was more than what happened to her. She was a mother, a friend, a fighter — and her life mattered deeply to those who loved her.

Rest in peace, Shawna Helling.
Your light will continue to shine in the hearts of those who knew you.