Human remains were discovered Friday afternoon in the backyard of a home in the southwest Chicago suburb of Darien, according to police. The find brought local officers and county forensic personnel to the scene, where they secured the property and launched an investigation. As of now, authorities have not identified the remains or released a cause of death.
Scene and initial response
Around 3 p.m. Friday, officers were called to Brookhaven Avenue near Juniper Lane for a report of possible human remains, according to NBC Chicago. Responding officers determined the material appeared to be human and requested the DuPage MERIT Forensic Investigative Unit to process the property. Darien's Investigations Division and the DuPage County Coroner's Office were reported to be working together to identify the remains.
County forensic team at work
The DuPage MERIT Forensic Investigative Unit is described as a countywide task force that supports local departments with major crime scene processing and evidence collection, according to the Darien Police Department. MERIT consists of specialized components, including a Forensics Investigation Unit and digital forensics teams that can be called in for complex scenes. The department notes that these teams are available to assist when investigations need additional technical resources.
Nearby history
DuPage County has seen other high-profile discoveries of remains in recent years. In 2021, contractors working at Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve in Darien uncovered human remains that were later identified by the coroner. ABC7 Chicago reported that case, which underscored how dense brush and preserve land can conceal evidence for long periods of time. Authorities have not indicated any connection between that earlier discovery and the current case.
What investigators say and next steps
Officials say the DuPage County Coroner's Office will be responsible for identifying the remains and determining a cause of death, a process that can take time because of required testing and records checks. As of Monday, investigators had not released an identity or cause of death and were still collecting evidence at the scene, according to NBC Chicago.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Darien Police Department's non-emergency line at 630-971-3999 or use the department's online resources, according to the Darien Police Department. The department's website also lists the station address and available community services for residents.
