GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — An autopsy report Thursday confirmed that a human head and human hands were found in a freezer at a western Colorado home last week.
Authorities are now investigating a possible homicide after the grisly discovery at a home on Pinyon Avenue in Grand Junction that neighbors said had recently been sold.
Mesa County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to reports of a suspicious incident at 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 12. According to Nexstar’s KREX, the new homeowners were cleaning out various leftover belongings at the property when the remains were found.
A neighbor, who declined to be identified, told KREX that the new owners posted on social media inviting people to pick up “free stuff” that had been left in the home. While cleaning out one of those items – a deep freezer in the garage – the human remains were found in a black bag underneath frozen animal meat.
“At this time, we have no other definitive answers until further testing can be completed,” the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. “These types of tests take a significant amount of time, and again, we ask for patience from the public as this investigation continues.”
Sheriff’s officials said they believe there is no ongoing threat to the community and are asking anyone with knowledge about the case to reach out to investigators.
“A thorough and detailed investigation is the top priority of the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office,” the sheriff’s office said. “Our hope is to positively identify the victim while remaining respectful of the victim and the victim’s family.”
