A surveying crew found a toothless human skull on Nov. 13 near Michigan Avenue and Newburgh Road in Wayne, Michigan. Police say the skull may be connected to skeletal remains discovered in March close to the same location. The Wayne County Medical Examiner will run laboratory tests and investigators may compare the remains with dental records or medical imaging. Officials say the probe is ongoing and no cause of death has been released.
Human Skull Found Near Detroit May Be Linked to Earlier Skeletal Discovery, Police Say
A surveying crew found a toothless human skull on Nov. 13 near Michigan Avenue and Newburgh Road in Wayne, Michigan. Police say the skull may be connected to skeletal remains discovered in March close to the same location. The Wayne County Medical Examiner will run laboratory tests and investigators may compare the remains with dental records or medical imaging. Officials say the probe is ongoing and no cause of death has been released.
10:04 AM, 11/16/2025Society
Human skull discovered outside Detroit; investigators probe possible link to March remains
A human skull was found by a surveying crew in a wooded area outside Detroit on Nov. 13, and Wayne police say the remains may be connected to skeletal material recovered earlier this year.
The crew located the skull around 2 p.m. near Michigan Avenue and Newburgh Road in the city of Wayne. Wayne Police Deputy Chief Finley Carter III told local outlets that the skull appeared to be toothless and that officers believe it could be related to remains discovered in March not far from the same site.
The Wayne County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct laboratory testing on the skull to attempt identification and help determine whether it is linked to the March discovery. Officials say comparisons may include dental records, X-rays or CT scans if corresponding medical images are available for potential matches.
Forensic anthropologist Dr. Carolyn Isaac told FOX 2 that the new find could allow investigators to build a more complete biological profile — including age, sex, ancestry and possible trauma — which may narrow searches of missing-person reports.
Authorities have not released a cause of death. Deputy Chief Carter said the investigation is ongoing while lab work and comparisons proceed. The remains found in March remain unidentified, and the Wayne Police Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Reporting compiled from local outlets including CBS Detroit, FOX 2 and ClickOnDetroit.