Police Seek Jacket’s Owner After Human Remains Found in Chicago Heights Garbage Can (Chicago, IL) — Police are asking for help identifying the owner of a Nickelodeon jacket collected during an investigation into human remains found inside a garbage can near Chicago Road and Elmwood Drive.
The appeal came Monday, Nov. 9, a day after the discovery, as investigators awaited further findings from the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office. The person’s identity remained unknown, and examiners had not yet established an approximate age, race or gender, police said.
Investigators described the jacket as a Members Only, size XXL, unisex Nickelodeon down-style coat. It was among several pieces of evidence collected during the early stages of the investigation.
Police want to hear from anyone who recognizes the style and knows someone who owned or wore a similar jacket. Authorities have not publicly explained its connection to the remains or said whether it belonged to the deceased.
The photographs distributed with the police appeal show an example of the jacket, rather than the actual garment recovered as evidence.
Officers were called to the area at approximately 11:50 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 8, after a person reported finding what appeared to be human remains in a garbage can. Responding officers confirmed the discovery, and the remains were taken to the medical examiner’s office.
An examination Monday confirmed that the skeletal remains were human, according to the department’s update. Further forensic findings were pending. The update did not identify a cause or manner of death, explain how the remains came to be in the garbage can or indicate how long they had been there.
Forensic examinations of skeletal remains can help estimate a person’s age and other physical characteristics, identify injuries and guide efforts to establish an identity. Dental comparisons can also assist identification when suitable records are available. Authorities have not specified which methods are being used in this case.
The Chicago Heights Police Investigations Division and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force are conducting the investigation, with assistance from the Illinois State Police and the medical examiner’s office.
Anyone with information about the jacket or its possible owner is asked to call Chicago Heights police at 708-756-6400. Police said callers may remain anonymous.
Police Seek Jacket’s Owner After Human Remains Found in Chicago Heights Garbage Can
