43
Investigators return to lot where bones found
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
Detectives and investigators with the Mahoning County Coroner’s office returned Friday to a North Side vacant lot where a partial skeleton was found last week.
They spent their afternoon in good weather conditions – opposite to last weekend, when they first responded to the vacant lot about 10 p.m. April 8 on Wydesteel Avenue.
A man who used to live in a home that was on the lot found a skeleton in the backyard and brought the skull to the police station.
When investigators were at the scene last week, it was covered in snow, which was then washed away by heavy rains. They said they wanted to return when things dried out to get a second look and make sure the snow and rain did not disturb or hide any more evidence.
Investigators scanned three empty lots in a row for evidence, and also the area behind where the skeleton was found on Trussit Avenue. They did not find anything in their initial search Friday.
The coroner’s office right now has just the torso of the skeleton. They believe it is a black male between age 19 and 35, possibly 40, about 5 feet 6 inches tall to 5 feet 9 inches.
The skeleton was discovered wearing a pair of headphones and a red letterman-type jacket with black sleeves. A bullet was found lodged in the front of the jacket but did not penetrate the jacket all the way.
Police have been combing through missing-person reports but have not been able to establish an identity. They also have received no calls from anyone yet who is concerned about someone they know who is a missing person who matches the description of what authorities know.
Anyone with information can call the detective bureau at 330-742-8911; the nonemergency number for the police department at 330-742-8900; or the patrol supervisor at 330-742-8950.