CHELSEA, Mich. – A skull donated to a Goodwill store in Washtenaw County last week is believed to be human and has been sent to the University of Michigan for further examination, police said.
On Jan. 26, 2026, Chelsea police responded to a call from the Goodwill store in the 1100 block of South Main Street after employees discovered what appeared to be a human skull wrapped in donated clothing.
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The skull was collected and taken to the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner’s Office.
After an initial examination, the medical examiner determined the skull is likely human, according to a Feb. 4 release from the police department.
It has since been sent to the University of Michigan’s Anthropology Department for further analysis, a process that could take up to 90 days.
Chelsea police are still working to identify and speak with the person who dropped off the skull.
The person is identified as a woman in her late 40s to early 50s with shoulder-length brown hair. She was last seen wearing black pants, a black coat, and sunglasses.
Police said a second person, believed to be the driver, was also seen with the woman. That person is also described as a woman in her late 40s to early 50s with shoulder-length brown hair. The two left the store in a dark gray, four-door SUV, according to police.
Investigators believe the skull may have been accidentally included among donated items and are seeking to speak with the woman to confirm how it came to be donated.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Chelsea Police Officer T. Gilbreath at 734-475-9122, ext. 107, or by email at tgilbreath@chelseapd.org.