NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) –– The LSU FACES Lab is now assisting in investigating a skull found by a magnet fisherman in Bayou St. John.
According to a police report obtained through a public records request, a man flagged down an officer on the afternoon of May 18 to report that he had pulled a human skull, a gun barrel and a handgun from the water.
The report stated the officer found what seemed to be a completely decomposed human skull, missing both the jaw and the upper row of teeth. The skull was reportedly wrapped in what looked like a shirt or cloth, secured with a padlock and key, and fastened to a 15-pound dumbbell.
After gathering evidence at the scene, homicide detectives handed over the skull to the Orleans Parish Coroner’s Office and recommended that the incident be reported as an unclassified death.
On May 21, the NOPD’s Special Operations Unit searched the area with dogs and divers.
The Louisiana State University FACES Lab confirmed they are assisting in the investigation.
Anyone with information can contact NOPD Third District detectives at 504-658-6030 or Crime Stoppers at 504-822-1111.
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