Chicago Heights human remains garbage can investigation, Digi Mart USA News (Chicago Heights, Illinois): Police investigating the discovery of human remains inside a garbage can in Chicago Heights are asking for the public’s help identifying the possible owner of a distinctive Nickelodeon jacket recovered as evidence. The remains were found Sunday near Chicago Road and Elmwood Drive, and authorities have since confirmed they are skeletal remains belonging to an unidentified person.
Officers responded around 11:50 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, to the area of Chicago Road and Elmwood Drive after receiving a report of suspicious circumstances.
A resident told officers they had found what appeared to be human remains inside a garbage can. Police confirmed the discovery and transported the remains to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination.
On Monday, Nov. 9, the skeletal remains were examined by the medical examiner’s office, but the results are still pending. Officials have only confirmed that the remains belong to an unidentified person.
The person’s approximate age, race and gender have not yet been determined.
During the initial stages of the investigation, Chicago Heights police identified and collected several pieces of evidence. Among those items was a jacket investigators believe may be recognizable to the public.
Police described it as a “Members Only, size XXL, unisex Nickelodeon down-style jacket.” Investigators are asking for help identifying anyone who may have owned or been known to possess this type of jacket. Police emphasized that the photographs released are not of the actual jacket recovered as evidence.
Police spent Monday going door to door in the neighborhood, speaking with residents who may have seen or heard something. One neighbor, Laurie Lien, said the discovery was particularly unsettling.
“It’s scary because nothing ever happens here on the north side of Chicago. It’s the first time,” Lien said.
She said she had walked her dog in the grass where the garbage can was found on Friday afternoon, when it was not there, so she believes it was dumped between Friday night and when it was discovered.
A neighbor who discovered the remains did not want to appear on camera but told FOX Chicago the situation was a tragedy and expressed hope that the person could be identified so their family could get answers.
This is the third reported discovery of human remains in garbage cans in the Chicago area this year. In early July, the remains of Zenobia Wetherspoon were found in a garbage can in Chicago’s Back of the Yards neighborhood.
Later that month, two legs and part of a skull were discovered inside another garbage can near East 68th Street. Authorities have not indicated that the discoveries are connected.
The identity of the deceased has not been determined, and the person’s approximate age, race and gender remain unknown pending further forensic examination by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. Police have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the discovery or whether the recovered jacket belonged to the deceased.
The investigation is being conducted by the Chicago Heights Police Investigations Division and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force, with assistance from Illinois State Police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. Anyone with information about the possible owner of the Nickelodeon jacket is asked to contact Chicago Heights police at 708-756-6400.
Tips can be provided anonymously.
