Police and a regional major crimes task force are investigating after a resident reported the discovery Sunday morning.
CHICAGO HEIGHTS, Ill. — Human remains found inside a garbage can in Chicago Heights were taken to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office as police opened an investigation into the discovery, authorities said.
Officers responded at about 11:50 a.m. Sunday to the area of Chicago Road and Elmwood Drive after receiving a report of suspicious circumstances. A resident told officers that what appeared to be human remains had been found inside a garbage can, according to police. Officers examined the scene and confirmed that the remains were human.
The discovery has brought together detectives from the Chicago Heights Police Investigations Division and the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force. Authorities had not announced an arrest or identified a suspect as of Monday, and police had not said how the remains came to be inside the container.
The remains were transported from the scene to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office for further examination. The identity of the person had not been released, and authorities had not provided an age, sex or other identifying information.
Police also had not announced a cause or manner of death. The limited information released means it remained unclear Monday whether investigators had determined when the person died or what circumstances led to the remains being left at the location.
The investigation began after the resident’s report brought officers to the area near Chicago Road and Elmwood Drive. Authorities have not released additional details about the resident or described what led to the initial discovery beyond the report of suspicious circumstances.
The involvement of the South Suburban Major Crimes Task Force expands the investigation beyond the city’s police department while Chicago Heights detectives continue to lead work on the case. Police have not publicly described what evidence, if any, was recovered along with the remains.
Authorities have released few details while the examination and police investigation continue. No connection to any other case has been announced, and officials have not provided a timetable for when the person might be identified.
Chicago Heights police said the investigation remains active and asked anyone with information about the discovery to contact the department at 708-756-6400. Further findings are expected to depend in part on the medical examiner’s examination and the continuing police investigation.
Author note: Last updated November 9, 2026.