Mystery in Memphis: Remains of three young children found in wooded area had been there for years, police say

The remains of three young children have been found in a wooded area in Memphis, with police suspecting the bones had been hidden for years.

The Memphis Police Department announced the gruesome discovery Wednesday, with the department chief calling it “heartbreaking” and “disturbing.”

For nearly two months, authorities have been combing through the remote area along Ridge Meadow Parkway after an anonymous caller reported a possible human skull on March 8, Memphis Police said in a press release.

A person who had been walking their dog stumbled upon the remains, prompting the search, Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis further explained at a news conference Wednesday.

Police said they first found what appeared to be a human skull at the edge of the woods. Two days later, cadaver K9 units alerted investigators to a nearby drainage pipe, “indicating the possible presence of additional human remains,” the press release said.

Weeks went by before investigators accessed the drainage system on April 1 and found what appeared to be another skull. The next day, search teams found another 14 bones that appeared to be human.

Authorities said they believe the remains are from three children, aged 3 to 7 years old.

Chief Davis said at the news conference that the remains appeared to be in the wooded area for “a few years.”

Davis stressed that there is no indication of an active threat to the public at this time.

Investigators are still trying to determine the identities of the children and the circumstances surrounding their deaths. No recent missing persons reports from the community have matched the remains, according to the police chief.

“This is heartbreaking, is disturbing, and at this time, we have numerous resources to help us to identify these young people and bring closure to this investigation,” Davis said.

About 170 personnel are involved in the ongoing search, including FBI agents, according to Davis.

Authorities have urged anyone with information about the case to contact CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH or the Memphis Police Department Homicide Bureau at 901-636-3300.

“Somebody knows where these children have come from. Someone knows of missing children that we have discovered in this area,” Davis said.