Human remains found in 2 suitcases on side of road in Denver neighborhood

DENVER (KDVR) (KDVR) -- Human remains were discovered Tuesday, Dec. 29, in two suitcases in southwest Denver's Mar Lee neighborhood.

Police were called to the 1700 block of South Java Way when suspicious bags were found near the side of the road while sidewalks were being cleared of snow. Denver Police said the remains are of a recently deceased white man. The medical examiner is working to identify him and determine how he died.

Denver Police said that because of how the remains were discovered, the case is being investigated as a homicide.

Denver public works employees plowing the sidewalks of the Sanderson Gulch Trail reported the suitcases as suspicious about 7:15 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 29, the Denver Post reports. Denver police were not aware of any recent missing persons reports that align with the remains, and investigators were gathering surveillance footage from nearby homes, Denver Police said.