Medical examiner says 2 girls found dead in suitcases were half-sisters
CLEVELAND (WOIO/Gray News) — The two young girls whose bodies were found in suitcases in Ohio were half-sisters, according to new information from the medical examiner.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner said Wednesday that DNA tests showed the two girls were half-sisters. However, the remains have not been identified.
In a news conference, Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd confirmed the bodies of two young girls were found in suitcases on the city’s East Side on Monday evening.
Cleveland police were called just after 6 p.m. to a field for a report of a suspected dead body.
According to police, a man was walking his dog in the area and the dog picked up the scent, leading the man to the body.
The man immediately called 911.
Responding officers found a “deceased individual that was in a shallow grave inside of a suitcase,” Todd said.
Officers then found the second body nearby in another suitcase.
Todd said both suitcases were partially buried in shallow graves. She said the victims had been there quite some time.
“It is traumatic for everyone. It is traumatic for those who live in the area to know that this was right there at their doorstep,” Todd said.
Authorities said one victim is believed to be between 8 and 13 years old and the other is believed to be between 10 and 14 years old.
“Locally, we have no reports of missing children to match these identifications. We are checking statewide as well. We have assistance from our state, federal and local partners,” Todd said.
Police said the investigation is in its very early stages, but there is no indication of an ongoing threat to the public.
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