Crime
Two Young Black Girls Found Inside Separate Suitcases Buried in Shallow Graves in Cleveland
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Authorities in Cleveland are seeking the public’s assistance after the bodies of two unidentified young Black girls were discovered inside separate suitcases buried in shallow graves Monday evening in a residential area on the city’s East Side.
The victims are believed to be between the ages of approximately 8 and 14, according to police.
As of Tuesday, investigators said there were no active missing persons reports in Cleveland that match the descriptions of the children, and their identities remain unknown.
The cause and manner of death have not yet been determined.
The discovery was made shortly after 7:00 p.m. near East 162nd Street and Midland Avenue, in a field adjacent to Ginn Academy.
A man walking his dog in the area told authorities that his dog began pulling toward a fence line near a playground. When he investigated, he noticed a suitcase that appeared to be partially buried in the ground.
The man told police he unzipped the suitcase and observed what appeared to be a child’s head inside before immediately contacting authorities.
Officers from the Cleveland Division of Police responded to the scene and confirmed the presence of a shallow grave containing a deceased child inside the suitcase. As detectives and crime scene investigators canvassed the surrounding area, they located a second shallow grave nearby. A second suitcase was recovered, also containing the body of a young girl.
During a news conference, Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd described the incident as “a terrible, horrific situation” and acknowledged the profound emotional impact on responding officers and the community.
“This is a traumatic event for our officers and for the community,” Todd said. “This is such a tragic incident, and we are working diligently to develop any leads we can. That’s why we are asking for the community’s help.”
Investigators have not yet determined how long the girls had been buried at the location. Chief Todd emphasized that authorities believe the deaths did not occur recently, though the exact timeline remains under investigation.
“We know that this didn’t just happen,” she said. “We still have to determine exactly when this occurred. At this time, we do not have any indication that this presents a clear, ongoing threat to public safety.”
The bodies have been transported to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, where autopsies will be conducted to establish the cause and manner of death, as well as to assist in identifying the victims.
Police confirmed that the bodies had not been dismembered.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the case, including possible sightings of suspicious activity in the area or knowledge of missing children who may not have been formally reported, to contact the Cleveland Division of Police or Crime Stoppers.
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
TAUNTON, Mass. — One person was killed and seven others were injured in an overnight shooting at a house party in Taunton, Massachusetts, authorities said.
The shooting happened at approximately 12:35 a.m. Sunday at a residence in the 261 Weir Street area. Taunton police officers responded after receiving multiple 911 calls reporting gunshots.
When officers arrived, they found several people suffering from gunshot wounds. Investigators were also informed that additional victims had already been transported to area hospitals for medical treatment.
Authorities ultimately identified eight shooting victims, all of whom were reportedly in their early 20s.
One of the victims, 22-year-old Zirovick Depina of Brockton, was pronounced dead early Sunday morning, according to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.
Of the seven surviving victims, one remains in serious but stable condition, while the others suffered injuries that were considered non-life-threatening. Their identities have not been publicly released.
The shooting occurred during a gathering at the residence. Images from the scene showed a tent and tables in the yard, along with white balloons and what appeared to be a photo backdrop near a garage.
A neighbor told authorities that large gatherings and loud parties had reportedly been common at the residence.
The home is located about a mile from the Taunton Police Department headquarters. The neighbor expressed concern about the shooting occurring in the area, particularly given the late-night activity.
The investigation is being conducted by Taunton Police, Massachusetts State Police detectives assigned to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, and other investigative units. Detectives are working to determine what led to the gunfire and identify those responsible.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact Taunton police or investigators with the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, and additional information is expected as authorities continue gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.