Paula Sladewski's Family Wants Justice for Murdered Playboy Model
PICTURES: Playboy Model Paula Sladewski Murdered
PICTURES: Murdered Playboy Model & Lover
"My sister was just 26 years old. She was full of life. She cared about everybody," Sladewski's sister Kelly Farris said in a press conference Wednesday in Miami.
Sladewski's burning body was discovered in a dumpster Sunday around 9:00 p.m.
PICTURES: Playboy Model Paula Sladewski Murdered
PICTURES: Murdered Playboy Model & Lover
Sladewski and her boyfriend, Kevin Klym, were visiting her sister during the holiday week. The couple lived in both California and Michigan.
PICTURES: Playboy Model Paula Sladewski Dead
PICTURES: Murdered Playboy Model & Lover
Slawdewski had pursued a career in modeling, but never quite made it big. Her family says she was proud of her appearance in the 2003 Playboy video "Playboy: The Ultimate Playmate Search," and excited about the future.
But instead, her life ended in gruesome fashion in North Miami.
PICTURES: Playboy Model Paula Sladewski Dead
PICTURES: Murdered Playboy Model & Lover
Authorities told the Miami Herald they used dental records to identify Sladewski, who was "burned beyond recognition."
The family was devestated that they could not give her a proper funeral.
"We can't even see her in an open casket," Farris said. "...Won't be able to see her this way or the way we remember her."
PICTURES: Playboy Model Paula Sladewski Dead
PICTURES: Murdered Playboy Model & Lover
Authorities say Sladewski and Klym were staying in a Miami Beach hotel during their visit to South Florida.
Klym reported her missing Monday, telling authorities he became separated from her at a Miami club over the weekend. Police have called Klym a person of interest.
Klym's attorney, Marc Beginin, told Crimesider that his client has nothing to hide.
"Kevin is fully cooperative with law enforcement. He has met with police four times," Beginin said. "We are talking with law enforcement about the possibility of Kevin doing a polygraph to clear his name."
Police are not yet saying how Sladewski died. A police report has not been made public.
As for Sladewski's family, the long road to justice is just beginning.
"I just plead with anybody ...out there ...come forward," Farris said. "She didn't deserve to die this way."
Reporting Contributed by CBS Affiliate WFOR.
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PICTURES: Playboy Model Paula Sladewski Murdered
PICTURES: Murdered Playboy Model & Lover
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