Irondale PD investigate skeletal remains found as homicide

Irondale PD investigate skeletal remains found as homicide

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By WBRC Staff - email
A daytime photo of the crime scene from Irondale police. A daytime photo of the crime scene from Irondale police.
Reporter Alan Collins snapped this photo at the hilltop that leads to the area where human bones were discovered. Reporter Alan Collins snapped this photo at the hilltop that leads to the area where human bones were discovered.
Police and emergency personnel on scene. Source: John Huddleston Police and emergency personnel on scene. Source: John Huddleston
File video of the Eastwood Mobile Home Village. Source: WBRC File video of the Eastwood Mobile Home Village. Source: WBRC
IRONDALE, AL (WBRC) -

Irondale police are investigating a set of human remains found in the woods as a homicide.

A hiker discovered the remains near the Eastwood Mobile Home Village on Alton Road Thursday evening. Detective Michael Mangina says police were called to the area around 6:30 p.m. after the hiker found a skull and a bones about 300 yards into the woods behind the trailer park. 

Friday morning, investigators discovered more bones, including parts of arms, legs, and apelvis. At this time, they believe that the remains are all part of one body. The coroner's office "skeleton crew" arrived to the scene Friday morning to investigate.

Investigators revealed in a 1 p.m. press conference that the gender of the person was male. They believe the scattering of the bones was due to animals or the weather.

Teeth in the skull are intact and investigators hope to get a partial dental record match. There was no clothing at the scene, but officers say there were some undisclosed items.

"Of course we don't know the circumstances of this death. We don't know how the person ended up in the woods especially as far back as he was from the main road," Detective Mangina said.

The remains are being handled by the Jefferson County Coroner's Office as they work to identify the body and investigate further.

Police say the residents of the nearby trailer park are shaken, but they do not believe the residents are in danger.

This is the same trailer park where a man was shot New Year's Eve but police do not believe that there is a connection between the two incidents. Police say the victim asked another man to not fire his gun in celebration of the new year. Police say the suspect got mad and shot the victim in the chest and shoulder.

"This is a safe neighborhood," Mangina said. "Law enforcement come through here all the time, patrol officers routinely patrol the area."

Currently, Irondale police say they are being flooded with inquiries about missing persons. They ask that people with missing persons questions contact their local jurisdiction. They also expect the coroner's office to take about two weeks to conduct their investigation of the bones.

Check back for more information as this story develops.

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