HUNTINGTON -- Residents along Leah Hickman's street say her disappearance seems completely out of character for their quiet neighborhood.

The 21-year-old Marshall student was reported missing last week, and Saturday afternoon police removed the body of a young woman from the basement of Hickman's apartment building at the corner of 4th Street and 8th Avenue. Investigators believe it is Hickman, but a positive identification has not been made.

Police also have not released information or even speculation about whether they believe the homicide occurred in the building, located just a few blocks from downtown on one side and Southside residential streets on the other.

While surrounding blocks have experienced some crime in recent months, residents still think of their area as a safe part of the city.

"Everybody takes care of everybody else," said Jeanelle Johnson, 58, who lives across 4th Street from Hickman's apartment. "If somebody is sick, you can be assured that everybody is going to come around, bring them food, pay their bills or take them to the doctor. It's always been that way."

Ike Ingraham, 30, and other neighbors said the railroad has attracted some problems in the past, but everybody interviewed said the area is not a haven for violent crime.

Instead, Johnson and 25-year-old Emily Buckhannon talked about occasional the property crime.

Buckhannon has lived along 8th Avenue for about four years. Thieves broke into her home once and stole toys from her porch on another occasion. She said earlier this week that Hickman's disappearance is more serious and abnormal.

"It terrifies me," she said. "I'm paranoid when I get out of my car. I've got two kids, and it scares me, especially where it gets dark early. I'm always looking around before I get out of the car, and I'm paranoid about answering the doors."

High-profile crimes have happened just a couple blocks away.

In late August, police say two strangers terrorized five college students in the 900 block of 7th Street. In April 2006, a toddler was shot in the head at an apartment building in the 600 block of 9th Avenue.

Jean Napier, 60, lives nearby the three crime scenes. She described each incident as being an oddity. She has lived in the area for 35 years.

"Every now and then something may be taken from your yard, but other than that it's a good neighborhood," she said.

Huntington Police Lt. Rocky Johnson said the area is one of the safer spots in Huntington and nobody, including college students, should be concerned about living there.

"We've got places in the city that are better and places in the city that are worse," he said. "That is a decent neighborhood. Crime like that can happen anywhere at anytime. (Residents) should just be aware and cautious, but not scared."

Ingraham lived inside Hickman's apartment building for about 18 months. He has lived across the street for approximately two years. He said the neighborhood seems to have a low turnover rate.

"I would not have thought twice about this area," he said. "Everybody just kind of watches out for each other ... This is a nice, quite place and a pretty good neighborhood to be. It's right here next to the south side and not too far from the park. It just never seemed like there was much trouble here to be had."

Tommy Burchell has lived along 8th Avenue for about 20 years. His daughter attends Marshall University, but she stays at a place of her own. He said Hickman's disappearance is unnerving.

"Nothing extraordinary happens here," he said. "This here is a very unusual thing."

Anyone with information about Hickman's whereabouts should contact the Huntington Police detective bureau at (304) 696-4420.