Human remains were discovered in the chimney of a public school in Queens, New York, on Tuesday morning, during an investigation into a foul odor. The remains were found at P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo, an elementary and middle school, shortly before 9 a.m. Police were called to the scene and are now working to identify the deceased individual.
The city's medical examiner has removed the remains and will determine the cause of death. At this time, it is unclear how long the remains had been in the chimney or how they ended up there. The school was closed for construction, and no students or staff were present when the discovery was made, as the summer break had begun on Friday.
Contractors had been working on the building in the days leading up to the discovery, and police are now verifying whether all workers have been accounted for. Permits had been obtained for various construction projects, including wiring and hot water heating work, according to City Buildings Department records.
The discovery of the corpse has been described as "deeply upsetting and concerning" by the City Department of Education. An investigation is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify the deceased individual.
