Body parts discovered in Sterling Heights sewer - New York News | NYC Breaking News

Body parts discovered in Sterling Heights sewer

Posted: Updated:
Police released this picture showing parts of a tattoo that was on the victim. Police released this picture showing parts of a tattoo that was on the victim.
Another picture showing more of the tattoo. Another picture showing more of the tattoo.
A third picture showing another part of the tattoo. A third picture showing another part of the tattoo.

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (WJBK) -- A routine repair of the Oakland-Macomb Interceptor turned into anything but when workers discovered nearly 15 body parts in the sewer line in Sterling Heights caught up on a metal grate 50 feet below the area of 15 Mile just east of Maple Lane.

Deputy Macomb Public Works Commissioner Gene Schabath was on scene.

"They said it looked like it had been cut up some other place and just dumped."

Police believe the pieces were part of a torso and are now offering a major clue, what appears to be a very large tattoo.  Investigators released photos showing fragments of the images hoping someone may recognize who it belongs to.

"I think it was [a] dragon or Japanese tattoos like koi fish or something like that," said tattoo artist Mark Somo.

We took the photos to the Tattoo Gallery in Sterling Heights where Somo took a look.

Many pieces are missing, but at first glance he thought Japanese or Chinese dragon, but as he tried to put the images together like a puzzle, he started to compare the tattoo to the Grim Reaper.

Whatever it is, he believed the tattoo artist will know, calling the body marking elaborate and unique.

There is no question police have quite a mystery on their hands.  Right now it's not even clear where the parts may have been dumped before the current carried them to Sterling Heights.  There are 100 manholes north and west of the 21 mile long interceptor that stretches from Oakland County to Macomb County.

"It's hard to say where they originated from, but as far as investigating it, the first thing you are going to look for is a missing person that you might be able to identify," said Sterling Heights Police Lieutenant Luke Riley.

All we know at this point is that the victim is white.  The Macomb County medical examiner should have more information on Thursday.

If anyone has any information, they are asked to call Sterling Heights police.

  • Local NewsLocal News

  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:51 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:51:22 GMT
    Franklin Reyes, 17, was in court Wednesday. He is charged with the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo.
    Franklin Reyes, 17, was in court Wednesday. He is charged with the death of 4-year-old Ariel Russo. He is accused of driving without a license, then fleeing police, jumping a curb, and hitting Ariel and her grandmother as they were walking to school.
  • Superstorm Sandy

    Wednesday, June 19 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-06-19 22:13:15 GMT
    More than 70 percent of New Jersey residents have seen or heard the state's "Stronger than the Storm" advertising campaign, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
    More than 70 percent of New Jersey residents have seen or heard the state's "Stronger than the Storm" advertising campaign, according to a new Rutgers-Eagleton poll.
  • Wednesday, June 19 2013 4:30 PM EDT2013-06-19 20:30:42 GMT
    The FBI has found possible human remains in a dig at the New York City house once occupied by a famous gangster. An FBI spokesman confirmed Wednesday that agents found material that they want to test as part of an investigation.
    The FBI has found possible human remains in a dig at the New York City house once occupied by a famous gangster. An FBI spokesman confirmed Wednesday that agents found material that they want to test as part of an investigation.
Powered by WorldNow
Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices