MEMPHIS, TN — A grim and “disturbing” investigation is underway in Memphis after authorities confirmed the discovery of the unidentified remains of three young children. Police believe the remains, which were found in a wooded area and a drainage pipe, may have been hidden there for years.
Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis addressed the media on Wednesday, describing a painstaking search process that has involved nearly 200 personnel from local and federal agencies, including the FBI.
A Timeline of the Grim Discovery
The investigation began by chance more than a month ago and has since unfolded into a massive recovery operation:
- March 8: A person walking their dog near a wooded area spotted a human skull and immediately alerted the authorities.
- Late March: Following the initial find, police utilized K-9 cadaver dogs to sweep the surrounding landscape. The dogs alerted handlers to a specific drainage pipe.
- April 1: Using specialized cameras to search the interior of the drainage system, investigators located a second skull.
- April 2: Search teams scouring the immediate vicinity uncovered an additional 14 bones.
Chief Davis stated that the remains appear to belong to children between the ages of 3 and 7. As of Wednesday evening, approximately 170 personnel were still scouring the crime scene to ensure no further evidence was left behind.
The Search for Identity
One of the most baffling aspects of the case is that these children do not match any local missing person reports.
“Someone knows of missing children that we have discovered in this area,” Chief Davis said during the press conference. “This is heartbreaking, it’s disturbing, and at this time we have numerous resources to help us identify these young people and bring closure to this investigation.”
While the cause of death remains undetermined, the location of the remains—hidden in a drainage pipe and a wooded area—has led investigators to treat the site as a major crime scene. Authorities have clarified that there is no belief of an “active threat” to the public, suggesting the remains are several years old.
Federal Resources Deployed
The scale of the search highlights the severity of the find. Agencies involved include:
- The Memphis Police Department
- The FBI
- Search and Rescue (SAR) specialized teams
- Forensic Anthropologists
The remains have been sent for forensic testing and DNA analysis in hopes of matching them with national databases of missing children. Because the children were not reported missing in Memphis, investigators are looking at regional and national “cold cases” involving siblings or groups of children who disappeared during the same timeframe.
Community Appeal: Can You Help?
The Memphis Police Department is urging anyone with information—no matter how small or old—to come forward. If you remember a family in your neighborhood whose children suddenly “disappeared” or moved away years ago without explanation, your information could be the key to identifying these victims.
What is your reaction to this tragic discovery? Do you believe these children were brought to Memphis from elsewhere, or has a local tragedy gone unnoticed for years?
Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you have any information, please contact the Memphis Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH.
