Human skeletal remains found in sewer at Stoepel Park on Detroit's west side, police say

Construction worker finds remains after lifting sewer grate, officials say

DETROIT – Officials said human skeletal remains were found Friday in a sewer on Detroit's west side.

The discovery was made at Stoepel Park, which is in the 16400 block of West Chicago between Mansfield Street and Grandmont Avenue.

Detroit police said there's ongoing construction at the park, and a worker lifted the sewer grate to an active sewer line. That's where he found the remains of an adult, DPD officials said.

The sewer is next to a playground and right behind Erma L. Henderson Academy, an elementary school.

The remains have been in the sewer anywhere from a few months to a few years, police said.

Several Detroit police officers are at the scene.

The Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office will be in charge of removing the remains from the sewer and identifying the person, officials said.

Erma L. Henderson Academy (WDIV)
Detroit police officers huddle around a sewer in which human remains were discovered at Stoepel Park. (WDIV)
Adult human remains were found in a sewer during a construction project at Stoepel Park on Detroit's west side, police said. (WDIV)

About the Authors

Priya joined WDIV-Local 4 in 2013 as a reporter and fill-in anchor. Education: B.A. in Communications/Post Grad in Advanced Journalism

Derick is the Lead Digital Editor for ClickOnDetroit and has been with Local 4 News since April 2013. Derick specializes in breaking news, crime and local sports.

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