Human remains were discovered Tuesday morning inside the chimney of a public school in Queens, New York, after officials responded to reports of a strong foul odor, police said.
The discovery was made shortly before 9 a.m. at P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo, an elementary and middle school. Police were called to the campus, and investigators are working to determine the identity of the person who died.
The city medical examiner’s office removed the remains and is expected to determine the cause of death.
Decomposing human remains were found inside the chimney of a public school in Queens, New York. (Peter Gerber)
Authorities have not said how long the remains may have been in the chimney or how the person came to be there.
Police said no students or staff members were inside the building at the time of the discovery. Classes had ended for the summer on Friday, and the school was closed for construction work.
No students or staff members were present in the building when the remains were discovered. (Peter Gerber)
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Contractors had reportedly been working at the site in recent days, and investigators are now seeking to confirm whether all workers have been accounted for, according to the New York Daily News.
Permits were obtained for wiring, hot water heating and other work, City Buildings Department records show.
The city’s medical examiners removed the remains and are trying to determine the cause of death. (Peter Gerber)
The City Department of Education described the discovery of the corpse as “deeply upsetting and concerning.”
