The RNC are investigating the discovery of human remains in the area of Water Street West near Springdale Street.
Police were called around 8:40 last night indicating that someone had found what they believed to be human remains.
Officers located the remains and immediately secured the area, cordoning off an entire block of buildings with police tape that was still up this morning.
A forensics tent and tarp were set up in a vacant lot immediately next to the Newman Wine vaults, and mobile flood lights were pointed in the direction of a densely overgrown corner of the lot.
The Chief Medical Examiner’s Office is now investigating to positively identify the remains and try to determine the cause of death.
RNC say the remains are those of a female, but they are not indicating the approximate age pending the results of an autopsy.
As to whether or not the remains correlate with any outstanding missing person’s cases, Constable James Cadigan won’t say at this time.
“That would be part of the ongoing investigation here,” says Cadigan.
RNC are asking anyone who may have noticed suspicious activity in and around the downtown in recent days to contact them.
“The downtown area expands out through Water Street, up to Duckworth, New Gower and so on. So, it’s important to recognize all the movement and activity in the downtown area that we are certainly focused on,” says Cadigan. He says while the area currently held is on Water Street West in the area of the Newman Wine Vaults, “if you consider, across the street you’ve got a business operating on the waterfront, and you’ve got hotels and so on, it’s important to pass any information along.”
Police are seeking information or possible video footage of suspicious activity in the area in recent days. Specifically, the RNC is looking for footage from the area on July 10th from 1 to 3 p.m.
Anyone with information should contact the RNC or Crime Stoppers.
Earlier Story
A block of buildings on Water Street west are barred off with police tape as police conduct an investigation into an incident in the area sometime overnight.
An RNC forensics tent has been set up in a sheltered wooded area next to the Newman Wine Vaults. The entire area from a building next to the Newman Wine Vaults to Springdale Street including the Newman Building are cordoned off with police tape.
Staff at Historic Sites were seen milling about outside but appeared to be unable to report for work.
Meanwhile, a caller to the VOCM Newsroom says the incident unfolded overnight as people with hazmat suits and artificial lighting descended on the area.
RNC are expected to release information on the incident later today.