Human remains found in school chimney at P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo in Queens were discovered shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday as city officials investigated a foul odor, police said. The city’s medical examiner removed the remains and will work to determine the identity and cause of death, authorities said.
Police and city agencies described the discovery as unexpected; the building was closed for the summer and undergoing construction when the remains were located, officials said. No students or staff were inside at the time, the Department of Education said.
What happened at P.S./I.S. 113
According to police reports cited by Fox News, officers were called after complaints about a persistent, foul odor at the elementary- and middle-school building in Queens shortly before 9 a.m.
Responding personnel traced the smell to the building’s chimney and located human remains, police said. The City Medical Examiner’s Office took custody of the remains at the scene, police added.
Discovery details: human remains found in school chimney
City officials confirmed the medical examiner removed the remains and will conduct the examinations necessary to establish identity and cause of death, police said. The Department of Education released a statement calling the discovery “deeply upsetting and concerning,” and said it is cooperating with investigators.
Police have not released the identity of the deceased or details about how long the remains had been in the chimney. Investigators described the situation as active and said they are working with the medical examiner and other city agencies, according to reporting by Fox News.
Investigation status and open questions
Investigators are pursuing multiple lines of inquiry, police said. A priority for detectives is confirming whether all contractors who had been working on the building in recent days are accounted for, the department told reporters.
Police indicated they will interview contractors and others with access to the building to establish who was onsite and when, and are reviewing records tied to recent work at the school, according to officials cited by Fox News.
Permits, construction context and agency responses
City Buildings Department records show permits were obtained for wiring, hot water heating and other work at the site, public records indicate. Contractors had been performing work at the school in the days leading up to the discovery, the city records and reporting show.
The Department of Education said it is cooperating with the investigation and stressed that school buildings are routinely inspected. “We are working with the city and law enforcement as they conduct their investigation,” the DOE statement said, according to the agency’s release shared with reporters.
What comes next
The City Medical Examiner’s Office will perform the necessary forensic procedures to determine the cause of death and to try to identify the deceased, officials said. The medical examiner has not released a timeline for results.
Police said they will continue interviewing contractors and others who had access to the school and will share updates when they are available. The Department of Education said it will provide information to the school community as appropriate and in coordination with law enforcement.
Authorities have not announced any charges or named any suspects. Officials cautioned that the investigation is ongoing and that it could take time for forensic testing and identification, police said.
Frequently asked questions
Who found the remains and when were they discovered?
Officials investigating a foul odor located the remains shortly before 9 a.m. Tuesday, police said. Fox News reporting noted that responding city workers traced the odor to the chimney.
Has the identity or cause of death been released?
No. The City Medical Examiner removed the remains and will determine cause of death and identity. Those results have not been released.
Are students or staff at risk and is the school closed?
The school was closed for the summer and undergoing construction when the remains were found, so no students or staff were in the building at the time, the Department of Education said. Officials have not reported an ongoing risk to the public related to the discovery.
The Nonstop News will update this story as authorities release new information and when the medical examiner’s findings are available.
Source: Fox News — “Foul odor at NYC school leads police to body hidden in chimney” — https://www.foxnews.com/us/foul-odor-nyc-school-leads-police-body-hidden-chimney
