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Tag: human remains

  • Human remains found in basement of Brooklyn NYCHA building

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    FILE – Medical examiner’s team removing a body.

    Photo by Dean Moses

    Human remains were discovered in the basement of a Brooklyn NYCHA complex on Sunday morning, authorities say.

    According to police sources, workers inside the 330 Bushwick Ave. made the grim discovery at around 9:38 a.m. on Feb. 1. The workers told police they found “body parts” inside the garbage area by a trash chute.

    Upon arrival, cops from the Police Service Area 3 and 90th Precinct found the body of a woman. She was pronounced dead at the scene. While she has not yet been identified, she is believed to be between 50 and 60 years old.

    The Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.

    No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing.

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    Dean Moses

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  • ICRC decries Hamas staging of hostage remains discovery as ‘unacceptable’

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    An ICRC statement declared that the organization was “uaware” of the staging, and emphasized that “the return of remains to loved ones must not be politicized.”

    The International Committee of the Red Cross said that the video of Hamas staging the discovery of a hostage’s body in front of Red Cross volunteers was “unacceptable” in a Tuesday statement.

    An IDF drone captured footage of Hamas terrorists staging the falsified uncovering on Tuesday.

    The video shows Hamas members placing slain Ofir Tzarfati’s remains in a freshly dug hole before covering the remains with dirt. They then proceeded to “dig” up the remains and called over members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to witness the discovery.

    According to the statement, the ICRC was present at the request of Hamas officials, but their personnel were “not aware that a body had been placed at the site before their arrival.”

    The Red Cross denied prior knowledge of or responsibility for the hoax, explaining that Israeli authorities were previously notified of the organization’s presence at the scene, which “was carried out in full transparency.”

    “It is unacceptable that a staged recovery of hostages has occurred, especially when so much depends on the existence of this agreement and so many families are still anxiously waiting for information about their loved ones.”

    Hamas terrorists seen taking out a white bag containing the remains of Ofir Tzarfati, covering it with sand, October 28, 2025. (credit: Section 27A of the Copyright Act)

    ICRC slams Hamas for staged discovery of slain hostage’s remains

    The Red Cross clarified that its staff “observed what appeared to be the collection of remains, without prior knowledge of the circumstances that led to it” and “was unable to intervene directly in what was taking place.”

    The statement urged all parties involved in the ceasefire to fulfill their commitments and “assist in returning those who have passed.”

    The ICRC called for “the dignified handling of human remains, in accordance with the requirements of international humanitarian law, as well as the maintenance of forensic standards,” emphasizing that the “return of remains to loved ones must not be politicized.”

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  • Kada Scott: Police find human remains in search for missing woman

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    Police have found human remains while searching for Kada Scott, a missing woman from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    John Stanford, the deputy commissioner of the Philadelphia Police Department told reporters at a press conference, shared by NBC Philadelphia, that investigators had found remains that were around a week old in a shallow grave in a wooded area behind the abandoned Ada H. Lewis Middle School near the Awbury Arboretum following an anonymous tip.

    They have not yet been identified but a spokesperson for the department told ABC News that they believed they belonged to Scott.

    Newsweek reached out to the Philadelphia Police Department for comment on this story.

    This is a developing story. More to follow.

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  • Remains Found Near St. Johns Bridge Identified After More Than 3 Decades – KXL

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    PORTLAND, Ore. – Human remains discovered more than three decades ago near the St. Johns Bridge in North Portland have been identified as those of Bryant Edward Deane, authorities announced Monday.

    Deane, who was born on Aug. 2, 1952, is believed to have been 39 at the time of his death. His skeletal remains were found in 1992 by workers clearing brush in the area. Despite extensive investigation, his identity had remained unknown until this year.

    The breakthrough came through the work of the DNA Doe Project, a nonprofit that assists with cold cases using forensic genetic genealogy. Volunteers with the group, in partnership with the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office, helped trace Deane’s identity after developing a DNA profile from the remains.

    The case had gone cold shortly after the discovery. Initial forensic analysis determined the remains were of a white male, approximately 5-foot-2 to 5-foot-5 in height, with signs of arthritis and healed fractures. Experts also noted that the man likely walked with a limp due to uneven leg length. He was believed to have died about a year before the remains were found.

    Clothing found with the body—a maroon fleece-lined jacket, dark denim pants, MacGregor ankle boots, and cotton gloves—suggested he died in winter. Investigators also recovered brown hair and dental evidence, but no leads on his identity surfaced at the time.

    In 2011, the case was added to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), and DNA was entered into federal databases, but no matches were found. Additional DNA testing in 2019 also failed to identify him.

    Progress accelerated in 2024 when the medical examiner’s office partnered with the DNA Doe Project. Advanced DNA sequencing performed by Astrea Forensics led to the creation of a genealogical profile, which was uploaded to GEDmatch Pro and FamilyTreeDNA databases. From there, volunteers traced potential relatives through family trees and historical records.

    By August 2025, they had located a man believed to be Deane’s brother, who confirmed through DNA testing that the remains were indeed those of Bryant Edward Deane.

    Dr. Sean Hurst, Oregon’s chief medical examiner, made the official identification in October. Portland police have been notified, though the cause and manner of Deane’s death remain undetermined.

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    Grant McHill

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  • Human remains believed to be Travis Decker found on Grindstone Mountain near Leavenworth

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    The Chelan County Sheriff’s announced that they have found human remains in a remote area that are believed to be that of Travis Decker.

    This week, the US Marshals Service Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force headed up a search, including Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, US Border Patrol, US Forrest Service, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI.

    During that search, human remains were found in a remote wooded area south of Leavenworth.

    Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison told KIRO 7 that the remains were found on Grindstone Mountain, off Icicle Road. This is a few miles away from where the bodies of Decker’s three daughters were found.

    Crews had to be dropped in via a Spokane County helicopter due to the rough terrain.

    Drones and cadaver dogs helped locate the remains.

    While the remains will need to be positively identified, preliminary findings suggest that the remains belong to Decker, the sheriff’s office said.

    Morrison told KIRO 7 that some items found near the remains, like clothing, were similar to what Decker was wearing when he left. Crews also found “personal items” but did not specify what those were.

    This is a developing story.

    Law enforcement says Decker kidnapped and killed his three young daughters– Paityn (9), Evelyn (8), and Olivia (5)– on May 30 during a scheduled custody visit.

    He has been wanted locally and federally ever since.

    On June 2, Decker’s truck was found unoccupied near the Rock Island Campground.

    The bodies of girls were found nearby.

    During the search for Decker, law enforcement warned that he had military survival training and was likely in remote areas. Several areas in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest were closed as crews scoured the terrain for Decker.

    What may have happened?

    In an exclusive interview with KIRO 7 in June, the girls’ mother, Whitney Decker, said there have never been any problems with visitations with Travis in the past.

    According to documents filed for custodial interference, Whitney and Travis were married for seven years but had been divorced for several years. She said the divorce was civil.

    She told investigators that they had a parenting plan in place by the courts for the divorce, and when Travis lost his housing, those plans changed to accommodate that.

    She also denied any domestic violence incidents in their marriage but said that he would have moments where he tried to exert power or control over her.

    Toward the end of the marriage, he was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder, and Whitney did not believe he was on any medications for that, court filings said.

    Travis was supposed to seek mental health treatment and anger management counseling under the parenting plan, but never did, court filings said.

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  • Search for missing Maine teen leads to discovery of human remains, but they aren’t hers

    Search for missing Maine teen leads to discovery of human remains, but they aren’t hers

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    JIM KEITHLEY VISITED THE SCENE FOR AN UPDATE ON THE CASE. “ONE STREET OVER AND UP AN HILL FROM WHERE KIM MOREAU LIVED, HER FATHER WITH THE HELP OF PSYCHIC ON SATURDAY JUST BEFORE NOON, DISCOVERED A SET OF REMAINS IN THE WOODS BEHIND WHAT WAS AN OLD BOWLING ALLEY ON ELM STREET.” “SHE HAD A VERY STRONG FEELING THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING UP HERE BUT SHE WASN’T SURE WHAT IT WAS.” “ABOUT TEN MINUTES.” “SHE TURNED AROUND, SHE CAME DOWN AND SAID – DICK YOU NEED TO GET DOWN HERE NOW.” DICK MOREAU TOOK US DOWN TO THE EXACT SPOT. STATE POLICE WERE CALLED, THE REMAINS WERE RECOVERED AND TAKEN TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER’S OFFICE TO BE IDENTIFIED. MOREAU LEARNED THE DISAPPOINTING NEWS – IT’S NOT KIM – THE REMAINS WERE THAT OF A MALE. “YES, IT’S A DISAPPOINTED JIM, BUT WE GOT TO REMEMBER AND LOOK AT IT FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW – WE’RE ONE OF THE FAMILIES THAT HAS A MISSING LOVED ONE, WE WILL HAVE A FAMILY THAT’S GOING TO GET CLOSURE NOW. IT ISN’T US, BUT ONE OF THESE TIMES IT’S GOT TO BE.” KIM WENT MISSING IN MAY OF 1986 – HER SISTER SAID KIM LEFT THE FAMILY HOME ON JEWELL STREET, AND SAID SHE WAS GOING OUT FOR HOUR…SHE WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN. AROUND THAT SAME TIME A MAN NAMED HAROLD SIMPSON WENT MISSING. HE WAS 28, FROM LIVERMORE FALLS. HE WAS LAST SEEN FISHING WITH A FRIEND, IN AUGUST 1986 – THREE MONTHS AFTER KIM DISAPPEARED. POLICE HAVE NOT MADE ANY CONNECTION TO THE SKELETON REMAINS FOUND OVER THE WEEKEND. FOR DICK MOREAU – THE SEARCH FOR KIM CONTINUES. “ALL WE WANT IS TO GET KIM HOME, GIVE HER A PROPER BURIAL AND LET ME TAKE DOWN ALL THESE POSTERS SO MY FAMILY, AND MYSELF WILL FINALLY GET SOME RELIEF.” “MOREAU SAYS HE’S GOING TO ASK POLICE TO COME BACK HERE WITH SEARCH DOGS BECAUSE HE WONDERS – IF THERE WAS ONE SET OF REMAINS, MAYBE THERE ARE MORE. HE ISN’T GIVING

    Search for missing Maine teen leads to discovery of human remains, but they aren’t hers

    A Maine man who has been searching for his missing daughter for nearly 40 years found human remains with the help of a psychic, but they were not those of his daughter.Dick Moreau said he discovered the remains Saturday in a wooded area of Jay, Maine, behind what was once a bowling alley.”(The psychic) had a very strong feeling that there was something up there, but she wasn’t sure what it was,” Moreau said. “Then in about 10 minutes, she turned around, she came down and said: ‘Dick, you’ve got to get up here now!’”Jay is around 70 miles from Portland, Maine, and around 31 miles from Lewiston, Maine.Maine State Police investigators were called to the scene, and the remains were recovered and taken to the office of the chief medical examiner for identification.Moreau later learned the remains were those of a male and not those of his daughter, Kim Moreau.”Yes, it’s a disappointment in some ways, but we’ve got to remember and look at it from our point of view. We’re one of the families that has a missing loved one. We will have a family that’s going to get closure now,” Moreau said. “So it isn’t us, but one of these times, it’s got to be.”Kim Moreau went missing in May 1986 after leaving her family home on Jewell Street, saying she was going out for an hour. She was never seen again. The site where Dick Moreau found the remains is one street over and up a hill from the family’s home.Around the same time, Harold Simpson, a 28-year-old from Livermore Falls, also went missing. He was last seen fishing with a friend in August 1986, three months after Kim disappeared.Police have not made any connection between Simpson and the remains that were found.For Dick Moreau, the search for Kim Moreau continues.”All we want is to get Kim home, give her a proper burial and let me take down all these posters so my family and myself will finally get some relief,” he said.Moreau plans to ask police to return to the area with search dogs, hoping that if one set of remains was found, there might be more. He remains determined to find his daughter.

    JAY, Maine —

    A Maine man who has been searching for his missing daughter for nearly 40 years found human remains with the help of a psychic, but they were not those of his daughter.

    Dick Moreau said he discovered the remains Saturday in a wooded area of Jay, Maine, behind what was once a bowling alley.

    “(The psychic) had a very strong feeling that there was something up there, but she wasn’t sure what it was,” Moreau said. “Then in about 10 minutes, she turned around, she came down and said: ‘Dick, you’ve got to get up here now!’”

    Jay is around 70 miles from Portland, Maine, and around 31 miles from Lewiston, Maine.

    Maine State Police investigators were called to the scene, and the remains were recovered and taken to the office of the chief medical examiner for identification.

    Moreau later learned the remains were those of a male and not those of his daughter, Kim Moreau.

    “Yes, it’s a disappointment in some ways, but we’ve got to remember and look at it from our point of view. We’re one of the families that has a missing loved one. We will have a family that’s going to get closure now,” Moreau said. “So it isn’t us, but one of these times, it’s got to be.”

    Kim Moreau went missing in May 1986 after leaving her family home on Jewell Street, saying she was going out for an hour. She was never seen again. The site where Dick Moreau found the remains is one street over and up a hill from the family’s home.

    Around the same time, Harold Simpson, a 28-year-old from Livermore Falls, also went missing. He was last seen fishing with a friend in August 1986, three months after Kim disappeared.

    Police have not made any connection between Simpson and the remains that were found.

    For Dick Moreau, the search for Kim Moreau continues.

    “All we want is to get Kim home, give her a proper burial and let me take down all these posters so my family and myself will finally get some relief,” he said.

    Moreau plans to ask police to return to the area with search dogs, hoping that if one set of remains was found, there might be more. He remains determined to find his daughter.

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  • Search for missing Maine teen leads to discovery of human remains, but they aren’t hers

    Search for missing Maine teen leads to discovery of human remains, but they aren’t hers

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    JIM KEITHLEY VISITED THE SCENE FOR AN UPDATE ON THE CASE. “ONE STREET OVER AND UP AN HILL FROM WHERE KIM MOREAU LIVED, HER FATHER WITH THE HELP OF PSYCHIC ON SATURDAY JUST BEFORE NOON, DISCOVERED A SET OF REMAINS IN THE WOODS BEHIND WHAT WAS AN OLD BOWLING ALLEY ON ELM STREET.” “SHE HAD A VERY STRONG FEELING THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING UP HERE BUT SHE WASN’T SURE WHAT IT WAS.” “ABOUT TEN MINUTES.” “SHE TURNED AROUND, SHE CAME DOWN AND SAID – DICK YOU NEED TO GET DOWN HERE NOW.” DICK MOREAU TOOK US DOWN TO THE EXACT SPOT. STATE POLICE WERE CALLED, THE REMAINS WERE RECOVERED AND TAKEN TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER’S OFFICE TO BE IDENTIFIED. MOREAU LEARNED THE DISAPPOINTING NEWS – IT’S NOT KIM – THE REMAINS WERE THAT OF A MALE. “YES, IT’S A DISAPPOINTED JIM, BUT WE GOT TO REMEMBER AND LOOK AT IT FROM OUR POINT OF VIEW – WE’RE ONE OF THE FAMILIES THAT HAS A MISSING LOVED ONE, WE WILL HAVE A FAMILY THAT’S GOING TO GET CLOSURE NOW. IT ISN’T US, BUT ONE OF THESE TIMES IT’S GOT TO BE.” KIM WENT MISSING IN MAY OF 1986 – HER SISTER SAID KIM LEFT THE FAMILY HOME ON JEWELL STREET, AND SAID SHE WAS GOING OUT FOR HOUR…SHE WAS NEVER SEEN AGAIN. AROUND THAT SAME TIME A MAN NAMED HAROLD SIMPSON WENT MISSING. HE WAS 28, FROM LIVERMORE FALLS. HE WAS LAST SEEN FISHING WITH A FRIEND, IN AUGUST 1986 – THREE MONTHS AFTER KIM DISAPPEARED. POLICE HAVE NOT MADE ANY CONNECTION TO THE SKELETON REMAINS FOUND OVER THE WEEKEND. FOR DICK MOREAU – THE SEARCH FOR KIM CONTINUES. “ALL WE WANT IS TO GET KIM HOME, GIVE HER A PROPER BURIAL AND LET ME TAKE DOWN ALL THESE POSTERS SO MY FAMILY, AND MYSELF WILL FINALLY GET SOME RELIEF.” “MOREAU SAYS HE’S GOING TO ASK POLICE TO COME BACK HERE WITH SEARCH DOGS BECAUSE HE WONDERS – IF THERE WAS ONE SET OF REMAINS, MAYBE THERE ARE MORE. HE ISN’T GIVING

    Search for missing Maine teen leads to discovery of human remains, but they aren’t hers

    A Maine man who has been searching for his missing daughter for nearly 40 years found human remains with the help of a psychic, but they were not those of his daughter.Dick Moreau said he discovered the remains Saturday in a wooded area of Jay, Maine, behind what was once a bowling alley.”(The psychic) had a very strong feeling that there was something up there, but she wasn’t sure what it was,” Moreau said. “Then in about 10 minutes, she turned around, she came down and said: ‘Dick, you’ve got to get up here now!’”Jay is around 70 miles from Portland, Maine, and around 31 miles from Lewiston, Maine.Maine State Police investigators were called to the scene, and the remains were recovered and taken to the office of the chief medical examiner for identification.Moreau later learned the remains were those of a male and not those of his daughter, Kim Moreau.”Yes, it’s a disappointment in some ways, but we’ve got to remember and look at it from our point of view. We’re one of the families that has a missing loved one. We will have a family that’s going to get closure now,” Moreau said. “So it isn’t us, but one of these times, it’s got to be.”Kim Moreau went missing in May 1986 after leaving her family home on Jewell Street, saying she was going out for an hour. She was never seen again. The site where Dick Moreau found the remains is one street over and up a hill from the family’s home.Around the same time, Harold Simpson, a 28-year-old from Livermore Falls, also went missing. He was last seen fishing with a friend in August 1986, three months after Kim disappeared.Police have not made any connection between Simpson and the remains that were found.For Dick Moreau, the search for Kim Moreau continues.”All we want is to get Kim home, give her a proper burial and let me take down all these posters so my family and myself will finally get some relief,” he said.Moreau plans to ask police to return to the area with search dogs, hoping that if one set of remains was found, there might be more. He remains determined to find his daughter.

    JAY, Maine —

    A Maine man who has been searching for his missing daughter for nearly 40 years found human remains with the help of a psychic, but they were not those of his daughter.

    Dick Moreau said he discovered the remains Saturday in a wooded area of Jay, Maine, behind what was once a bowling alley.

    “(The psychic) had a very strong feeling that there was something up there, but she wasn’t sure what it was,” Moreau said. “Then in about 10 minutes, she turned around, she came down and said: ‘Dick, you’ve got to get up here now!’”

    Jay is around 70 miles from Portland, Maine, and around 31 miles from Lewiston, Maine.

    Maine State Police investigators were called to the scene, and the remains were recovered and taken to the office of the chief medical examiner for identification.

    Moreau later learned the remains were those of a male and not those of his daughter, Kim Moreau.

    “Yes, it’s a disappointment in some ways, but we’ve got to remember and look at it from our point of view. We’re one of the families that has a missing loved one. We will have a family that’s going to get closure now,” Moreau said. “So it isn’t us, but one of these times, it’s got to be.”

    Kim Moreau went missing in May 1986 after leaving her family home on Jewell Street, saying she was going out for an hour. She was never seen again. The site where Dick Moreau found the remains is one street over and up a hill from the family’s home.

    Around the same time, Harold Simpson, a 28-year-old from Livermore Falls, also went missing. He was last seen fishing with a friend in August 1986, three months after Kim disappeared.

    Police have not made any connection between Simpson and the remains that were found.

    For Dick Moreau, the search for Kim Moreau continues.

    “All we want is to get Kim home, give her a proper burial and let me take down all these posters so my family and myself will finally get some relief,” he said.

    Moreau plans to ask police to return to the area with search dogs, hoping that if one set of remains was found, there might be more. He remains determined to find his daughter.

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  • Human remains pulled from canal in unincorporated Modesto, Stanislaus sheriff says

    Human remains pulled from canal in unincorporated Modesto, Stanislaus sheriff says

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    Detectives are looking into the death of a man after crews found his remains in a canal, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s said.At Garst Road and Church Street in unincorporated Modesto, a passerby at 7:30 a.m. Thursday reported what appeared to be human remains in the water, the sheriff’s office said. Members of the Modesto Fire Department helped pull the body out. The sheriff’s office identified him as 60-year-old Genaro Ibarra. Details on the circumstances of his death have not yet been released.Sgt. Veronica Esquivez with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office said while it doesn’t happen often, some cases of human remains being found end up being homicides. “We check the body whenever we find anybody to see if there’s any more injuries or anything like that and there seem to be none,” Esquivez said. “So, that’s why then we rely on the autopsy to tell us a little bit more.”Do you have photos or video of an incident? If so, upload them to KCRA.com/upload. Be sure to include your name and additional details so we can give you proper credit online and on TV.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

    STANISLAUS COUNTY, Calif. —

    Detectives are looking into the death of a man after crews found his remains in a canal, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s said.

    At Garst Road and Church Street in unincorporated Modesto, a passerby at 7:30 a.m. Thursday reported what appeared to be human remains in the water, the sheriff’s office said. Members of the Modesto Fire Department helped pull the body out.

    The sheriff’s office identified him as 60-year-old Genaro Ibarra. Details on the circumstances of his death have not yet been released.

    Sgt. Veronica Esquivez with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office said while it doesn’t happen often, some cases of human remains being found end up being homicides.

    “We check the body whenever we find anybody to see if there’s any more injuries or anything like that and there seem to be none,” Esquivez said. “So, that’s why then we rely on the autopsy to tell us a little bit more.”

    Do you have photos or video of an incident? If so, upload them to KCRA.com/upload. Be sure to include your name and additional details so we can give you proper credit online and on TV.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

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  • Skeletal remains found in Wisconsin ID’d as Elijah Vue, toddler missing since February: police

    Skeletal remains found in Wisconsin ID’d as Elijah Vue, toddler missing since February: police

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    TWO RIVERS, Wis. — Skeletal remains found in a wooded area in Wisconsin have been identified as Elijah Vue, a child who had been missing since February, Two Rivers police said Friday.

    Last Saturday, a Wisconsin sheriff informed Two Rivers Police Chief Ben Meinnert that someone preparing land for hunting in Two Rivers had found skeletal remains, WISN reported.

    The Two Rivers Police Department said Friday that skeletal remains found have been identified as missing boy Elijah Vue.

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    Those remains were found on private property in a heavily wooded area, about 3 miles from where Vue was originally reported missing on Feb. 20.

    Wisconsin Crime Lab for DNA testing identified the remains as Vue’s.

    SEE ALSO | 4th birthday party held for missing Wisconsin boy Elijah Vue

    “It is with a heavy heart that I announce to you today, those remains were identified as Elijah Vue. With that news, and following this briefing, the Amber Alert will be canceled,” said Two Rivers Chief Ben Meinnert.

    Vue’s mother, Katrina Baur, and her boyfriend, Jessie Vang are facing child neglect charges in connection with the case.

    Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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  • Man charged with murder in connection with the deaths of a couple at a nudist resort

    Man charged with murder in connection with the deaths of a couple at a nudist resort

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    A man was charged with murder on suspicion of killing his neighbors at a California nudist resort, San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson announced Tuesday afternoon in a news conference.Michael Royce Sparks, 62, is facing two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of missing couple Daniel and Stephanie Menard, who are 79 and 73, authorities said.The couple was last seen on Aug. 24 at their home in the Olive Dell Ranch resort in San Bernardino County. Human remains were found underneath Sparks’ home after he was arrested last week, following a tense and lengthy standoff.Police have said they believe the remains are those of the Menards, who lived next door.“We know they’re dead, and we know there’s two victims,” Anderson said about the reasoning for the charges.Sparks is set to appear in court Wednesday and is ineligible for bail, jail records show. CNN has been unable to identify an attorney for Sparks or locate family members.Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber said one of Sparks’ relatives led them to him. Hours prior to his arrest last week, a family member called police saying he was involved in the Menards’ disappearance.He “had admitted to killing two people and was threatening suicide,” Tolber said about Sparks.“I believe that there may have been other people that were texted, but the initial call that started our focus on him was from the family,” Tolber added.Officials couldn’t discuss a potential motive for the killings and Anderson said it did not appear to be planned.A couple vanishesPolice had been looking for the couple in the hills and canyon area around Olive Dell Ranch. The resort is between the southern California cities of Redlands and Colton, about 65 miles east of Los Angeles.The search began after a friend who lives in the resort became worried for the Menards when they didn’t attend Sunday church service as usual. Their dog Cuddles, a white shih tzu, remains missing, police said on Tuesday.Irene Engkraf, who identified herself as the person who contacted police about the Menards, told reporters last week that she saw the their car sitting “abandoned” down the road from their home.When she entered the couple’s home using a spare key, Engkraf said she saw Stephanie’s purse and both of the Menards’ phones. Then she called 911 and hospitals in the area, searching for news of her friends.A tip led to suspect’s arrestAfter receiving a tip from Sparks’ family, police locked down the resort because they learned that he could be armed and barricaded, Tolber said.Officers had been looking for him for several hours when they used a battering ram and a drone to search Sparks’ home, police said. They located him with a camera used to evaluate sewer blockages, Redlands Police Department spokesman Carl Baker said Friday.He had been hiding inside a 5-foot deep concrete space under the home, which forced officers to remove the front wall of the house, Baker said.Anderson, the district attorney, described the space as similar to a “homemade basement” area underneath the mobile home.When officers discovered him, Sparks, who was armed and barricaded, attempted to shoot himself but his weapon misfired, police said. After “lengthy negotiations” with officers, Sparks surrendered voluntarily, Baker said.A day after Sparks was arrested, firefighters and cadaver dogs found human remains under his home and spent several days searching the site, police said.The search took days because of the state of the property, its potential collapse and the need to remove debris with heavy equipment.Tolber declined to discuss more details about the remains and noted that police don’t have a reason to believe there are other victims.

    A man was charged with murder on suspicion of killing his neighbors at a California nudist resort, San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson announced Tuesday afternoon in a news conference.

    Michael Royce Sparks, 62, is facing two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of missing couple Daniel and Stephanie Menard, who are 79 and 73, authorities said.

    The couple was last seen on Aug. 24 at their home in the Olive Dell Ranch resort in San Bernardino County. Human remains were found underneath Sparks’ home after he was arrested last week, following a tense and lengthy standoff.

    Police have said they believe the remains are those of the Menards, who lived next door.

    “We know they’re dead, and we know there’s two victims,” Anderson said about the reasoning for the charges.

    Sparks is set to appear in court Wednesday and is ineligible for bail, jail records show. CNN has been unable to identify an attorney for Sparks or locate family members.

    Redlands Police Chief Rachel Tolber said one of Sparks’ relatives led them to him. Hours prior to his arrest last week, a family member called police saying he was involved in the Menards’ disappearance.

    He “had admitted to killing two people and was threatening suicide,” Tolber said about Sparks.

    “I believe that there may have been other people that were texted, but the initial call that started our focus on him was from the family,” Tolber added.

    Officials couldn’t discuss a potential motive for the killings and Anderson said it did not appear to be planned.

    A couple vanishes

    Police had been looking for the couple in the hills and canyon area around Olive Dell Ranch. The resort is between the southern California cities of Redlands and Colton, about 65 miles east of Los Angeles.

    Redlands Police Department via CNN Newsource

    Dan and Stephanie Menard were reported missing on August 25.

    The search began after a friend who lives in the resort became worried for the Menards when they didn’t attend Sunday church service as usual. Their dog Cuddles, a white shih tzu, remains missing, police said on Tuesday.

    Irene Engkraf, who identified herself as the person who contacted police about the Menards, told reporters last week that she saw the their car sitting “abandoned” down the road from their home.

    When she entered the couple’s home using a spare key, Engkraf said she saw Stephanie’s purse and both of the Menards’ phones. Then she called 911 and hospitals in the area, searching for news of her friends.

    A tip led to suspect’s arrest

    After receiving a tip from Sparks’ family, police locked down the resort because they learned that he could be armed and barricaded, Tolber said.

    Officers had been looking for him for several hours when they used a battering ram and a drone to search Sparks’ home, police said. They located him with a camera used to evaluate sewer blockages, Redlands Police Department spokesman Carl Baker said Friday.

    He had been hiding inside a 5-foot deep concrete space under the home, which forced officers to remove the front wall of the house, Baker said.

    Anderson, the district attorney, described the space as similar to a “homemade basement” area underneath the mobile home.

    When officers discovered him, Sparks, who was armed and barricaded, attempted to shoot himself but his weapon misfired, police said. After “lengthy negotiations” with officers, Sparks surrendered voluntarily, Baker said.

    A day after Sparks was arrested, firefighters and cadaver dogs found human remains under his home and spent several days searching the site, police said.

    The search took days because of the state of the property, its potential collapse and the need to remove debris with heavy equipment.

    Tolber declined to discuss more details about the remains and noted that police don’t have a reason to believe there are other victims.

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  • The Smithsonian has amassed remains of around 30,000 people. Now it’s ramping up efforts to return them – WTOP News

    The Smithsonian has amassed remains of around 30,000 people. Now it’s ramping up efforts to return them – WTOP News

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    The Smithsonian Institution said it’s moving as quickly as it can to repatriate the remains of about 30,000 people acquired for scientific research during the 19th century and early years of the 20th century.

    The Smithsonian Institution said it’s moving as quickly as it can to repatriate the remains of about 30,000 people acquired for scientific research during the 19th century and early years of the 20th century.

    The remains came from sources such as archaeological digs, donations from museums, universities, hospitals and individuals. The Smithsonian acknowledges the remains were obtained without informed consent and in ways incompatible with modern standards.

    About half the remains are those of Native Americans and the Smithsonian has been working to return those remains since 1989.

    The institution’s Human Remains Task Force said the remains came from dozens of countries and span time periods of thousands of years. The remains include whole or partial skeletons, teeth and bone fragments, fetal remains and tissues, including about 250 brains.

    “One scientist at the Smithsonian’s Museum of Natural History collected human brains. So we do not want these in the collection, they’re not valuable for research, they really never were. So we’re looking to find names for these so that we can look for descendants and return them,” said Linda St. Thomas, chief spokesperson for the Smithsonian Institution.

    While a team has been overseeing the repatriation of Native American remains, the Smithsonian is now forming a new team responsible for the return of non-Native human remains.

    While Native remains can be returned to the 252 federally recognized tribes and communities, it’s not always easy to identify and repatriate remains of non-Native Americans because the labeling process has been inconsistent over the years.

    “It varies because the way museums kept track of things in 1910 is very different than the way we do it today. So we’re talking about cards with … things written in fountain pen. So it is quite a process to identify, and then to find, descendants,” St. Thomas said.

    The Smithsonian is also streamlining the process to request returns and is shaping policy for the memorialization of unidentified remains that may go unclaimed.

    “The secretary has spoken out about this and said this is really, really important for us. This is not just scientific things. These are human beings and we will handle it respectfully, and try to move as quickly as we can to get all the human remains back to where they belong,” St. Thomas said.

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    © 2024 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

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    Dick Uliano

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  • Colorado Police Investigate After Human Head Is Found In Freezer Of Recently Sold Home

    Colorado Police Investigate After Human Head Is Found In Freezer Of Recently Sold Home

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    Authorities in Colorado are now investigating after human remains were found in the freezer of a recently-sold home. According to PEOPLE, the discovery was reported to police on January 12.

    RELATED: “Green” Colorado Funeral Home Reportedly Under Investigation After At Least 115 Decomposing Bodies Discovered

    Here’s How The Human Head Was Discovered

    According to a press release published by the Mesa Sheriff’s Department on January 15, authorities were called to the home around 2:30 p.m. The residence is reportedly located on the 2900 block of Pinyon Avenue in Grand Junction, Colorado.

    The release adds that police were called for a “suspicious incident.”

    “Persons at the address cleaning out the recently sold property discovered possible human remains inside the residence,” the press release added.

    According to 9News, a neighbor named Sam Troester was able to provide more information to reporters. She explained that the previous owners of the home moved out that morning. Later that day, the new owners arrived at the residence to begin cleaning.

    “It turns out that the new owners of the house posted online that they were looking to sell a bunch of the garbage that was left behind, scrap metal, and things that people could repurpose, and there was a deep freezer that was posted up for grabs,” she explained.

    However, during the process, the new owners unexpectedly arrived at her home.

    “I let them in, and cautiously, I was like, ‘What’s going on?’ And they continued to tell me that they opened the freezer to empty it so they could transport it, and they said a head fell out,” she said. “A human head!”

    Authorities ultimately launched an investigation while informing the public that they “believe this is an isolated incident.”

    Here’s What Colorado Police Plan To Do Next

    Then, on January 18, the Mesa Sheriff’s Department shared an updated press release. The notice indicated that an autopsy had been performed on the “possible human remains” and confirmed that they were a human head and human hands.

    The release noted that “further testing” on the remains will be needed to acquire more information about the victim.

    “At this time, we have no other definitive answers until further testing can be completed.  These types of tests take a significant amount of time, and again, we ask for patience from the public as this investigation continues,” the release reads.

    However, the Mesa Sheriff’s Department maintained that a “thorough and detailed” homicide investigation is its top priority.

    “Our hope is to positively identify the victim while remaining respectful of the victim and the victim’s family,” the release concluded.

    According to 9News, authorities have not revealed how long the remains were in the home. Furthermore, they are urging anyone with information to contact Mesa County Sheriff’s Office Investigator at 970-244-3266.

    This a developing story. Be sure to check back in with The Shade Room for more updates.

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    Jadriena Solomon

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  • It’s Time To Talk About Museums’ Unethical Collection Of Indigenous And Black Human Remains

    It’s Time To Talk About Museums’ Unethical Collection Of Indigenous And Black Human Remains

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    At height of spooky season, nothing feels more horrifying ― or more disrespectful ― than human remains that have been on display to the public for decades without the consent of any relevant parties.

    New York’s American Museum of Natural History, world-renowned for its comprehensive collections of cultural relics, recently lifted the veil on the troubling origins of some of its artifacts. In a letter to staff, Sean Decatur, the museum’s new president, explained that many of the human remains on display and in their collection were sourced in racist and violent ways.

    “We must acknowledge that, with the small exception of those who bequeathed their bodies to medical schools for continued study, no individual consented to have their remains included in a museum collection,” Decatur, who is the museum’s first Black president, wrote in the Oct. 12 letter.

    Under Decatur’s leadership, the institution publicly acknowledged that a significant portion of its collection of remains from 12,000 individuals consists of body parts belonging to Indigenous and enslaved Black people. Some of those remains, in fact, were taken from a sacred burial ground in New York City.

    According to the letter, most remains were sourced in the 19th and 20th centuries without obtaining anyone’s consent. It was common at the time for medical and scientific institutions and organizations to rob graves and steal body parts from sacred burial sites in the interest of bolstering racist, Eurocentric pseudoscience. Of course, this was seen as a valid justification for the violent abuse and exploitation of Indigenous and enslaved Black people.

    “I think it’s fair to say that none of these people set out or imagined that their resting place would be in the museum’s collection, and in most of the cases, there also was a clear differential in power,” Decatur wrote to employees. The museum’s board, Decatur announced, has adopted an updated collections policy and set of repatriation guidelines.

    The museum plans to remove unethically obtained human remains from displays and place them in storage, with the intention of learning more about the origins of its collection and returning all unethically sourced remains to their descendants. “We have to acknowledge that whose remains came into museums were largely from groups that were marginalized or exploited economically and socially, politically,” Decatur told NPR.

    According to the letter, the AMNH has already repatriated the remains of 1,000 Native American individuals and another 200 belonging to indigenous people from international tribes since the 1990 passing of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. NAGPRA requires museums and universities to report any Native ancestral remains in their possession and return them to their tribes.

    ProPublica noted in January that “the remains of more than 110,000 Native American, Native Hawaiian and Alaska Natives’ ancestors are still held by museums, universities and federal agencies” ― and that about half of those unpatriated remains are concentrated among just 10 institutions, including the American Museum of Natural History. Some institutions defend their decision to hold on to these remains by arguing that they’re too old to accurately determine which tribes they should be repatriated to.

    Doesn’t it feel kind of contradictory for institutions that pride themselves on education to hold human remains without acknowledging how they were collected, whom they belong to, and whether there was consent to display them?

    As awareness about decolonizing institutions and museums continues to rise, these kinds of institutional shifts in attitude are crucial. All of us need to start considering how museums shape what we know of particular cultures and their people, and ask how we can begin to repair some of the damage that’s been done to these communities.

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