HOUSTON – An investigation is underway after what appears to be a human skeleton was found burned inside a barbecue pit Tuesday afternoon at a southeast Houston home, according to the Houston Police Department.
“This is not your typical case,” Sgt. William Dunn with the HPD homicide unit said.
Police responded to the call around 3 p.m. for a person down in a backyard of a home located in the 5200 block of Peach Creek Drive.
According to police, a person who was working in the backyard of the home found the remains. Investigators said the worker then left the home and call the police.
Investigators are interviewing the family that lives in the home and trying to determine how the remains got inside the pit and how long they have been there.
“It’s a custom barbecue pit. it’s a brick barbecue pit. It’s quite large. It’s not the typical pit you’ve seen at Lowes and Home Depot,” Dunn said.
Investigators said the barbecue pit looks as if it hasn’t been disturbed in a while. Dunn also said that it appears the full skeleton, including the skull, is inside the pit. Police said it could be a lengthy investigation.
“Course, at this point, we don’t know race, sex and we don’t know how the body, if it is a human skeleton, how they died. Medical Examiner’s unit and homicide will determine that,” said Lt. Larry Crowson.
Police said it is being looked at as a death investigation. No charges have yet been filed.
Detectives are asking anyone with information in this case to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or speak anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.