Bone Fragments Found in South Side Warehouse are from Human Skulls: Medical Examiner

A mysterious discovery of bones unearthed during excavation of a South Side warehouse on Monday are from human skulls, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office said.

The 13 bone fragments were found at 243 W. Root in the city’s Fuller Park neighborhood. The building owner was tearing up the floor when he found what police termed “unusual objects.”

• Also on Patch: Skulls and Jawbone Found in South Side Warehouse

The bones, described as five skulls and a jawbone, were bagged and turned over to the medical examiner and Central Area detectives.

Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Stephen Cina examined the bones Tuesday, along with a forensic anthropology consultant.

The 13 fragments of the human skulls included cranial caps, bases of skulls that had been sectioned and mandibles, the medical examiner’s office said in a news release.

The bones had been previously sawed in a manner consistent with dissection for teaching purposes or autopsy. Only one of the bones was determined to be non-human during Tuesday’s examination.

The Medical Examiner’s Office will not issue a death certificate or perform additional studies on the skull fragments.

Investigators determined the remains were likely donated to science long ago. According to the investigation, the building where the bones were found once housed a biological specimen facility.

The building is reportedly for sale.

The bones are to be buried in one casket the next time the office buries unidentified remains.