A family found human remains while cleaning out a freezer at the home of a deceased loved one, according to authorities.
The family called police in the Alaskan capital city of Juneau on Sunday night after they found what appeared to be human remains inside a chest freezer in a locked outbuilding on the property.
Juneau police said in a statement that the family had been cleaning out the home after a relative had died.
Detectives believe the remains may belong to an adult male family member. But the State Medical Examiner’s Office had not confirmed the identity as of Tuesday.
Juneau police noted that there was no missing person’s report for the man filed with the department, and it’s unclear how long the remains were in the freezer.
The State Medical Examiner’s Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. The Independent has reached out to the examiner’s office for comment.
“At this stage of the investigation, there is no known threat to the public,” Juneau police said. The investigation into the remains remains ongoing.
Last month, human remains were found inside the chimney of a New York City school, shocking the community.
Authorities were called to P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo in Queens on June 30 after an exterminator looking for the source of a foul odor found a foot in the chimney, local outlet WABC reported at the time.
There were no students or staff in the school as they were already let out for the summer, and the building was closed for construction.
“It’s just tragic, whoever it is, whatever happened, it’s just really sad,” resident Maggie Rosario told WABC.
New York City Public Schools called the discovery of remains “deeply upsetting and concerning” in a statement.
“We are making sure the right supports are in place for the entire school community while NYPD investigates,” the statement continued.
