A New York City man made an unsettling discovery while tending to his garden in Queens.
The man was gardening behind his home in Whitestone when he noticed unusual debris buried in the soil.
He quickly called 911 to report what he believed were cremated human remains discovered in his yard.
Soon after, NYPD officers arrived at the scene. They examined the area and found what appeared to be ashes and a set of dentures.
According to a spokesperson from the NYPD’s Public Information Office, the remains were located at the rear of the property.
Cremated human remains discovered by the gardener raised immediate concerns about the legality and origin of the ashes.
Officials from the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner responded. An anthropologist later confirmed that the findings were human bone fragments.
The expert also determined that the fragments came from a cremated individual.
The NYPD confirmed the discovery but said the investigation is still ongoing. Authorities have not released any further details about who the remains belonged to.
Multiple reports stated that the homeowner had no idea the remains were buried there.
In New York City, people must meet specific legal requirements to bury remains on private property. One must obtain permission from the property owner and secure a permit.
There are no state laws that ban private burial, but many cities enforce local rules.
Cremated human remains discovered in urban areas are uncommon and often spark legal and health questions.
So far, it is unclear whether anyone violated burial regulations in this case.
Cremated human remains discovered during routine yard work shocked the local resident and led to a police inquiry.
The mystery of how the ashes ended up in the yard remains unsolved.
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