Denver police continue to investigate the robbery of a box of human heads from a medical truck labeled “exempt human specimen.” No arrests have been made, but investigators are wondering why? Money or more sinister?
The mysterious theft of human heads in Denver
A macabre theft of a box of human heads has investigators baffled and left wondering why?
The heads were being transported for medical research use.
Last week, a thief or thieves targeted a freight truck in East Denver. The theft occurred sometime between the hours of 2:30 PM on Wednesday, March 2, and 9:30 AM on Thursday, March 3, while the truck was parked on 23rd Ave.
The blue-and-white cardboard box had two labels: “Exempt human specimen” and “science care,” according to KDVR Fox 31. The dimensions of the box are roughly 20 x 15 x18 inches.
Numerous questions remain
Police are keeping information limited as the case is still active. But a number of questions remain: Why was the truck parked overnight? What was the destination? Who was driving? Who would steal such items? Did the thief intend to steal human remains or something else? Is money motivation? Or is there a more sinister motivation?
Police said so far, the FBI is not involved, but that could change.
Body donation is an unregulated, multibillion-dollar business
There could be a substantial financial incentive for the theft.
Fox reporters spoke to an attorney who has had experience in cases related to human remains. The attorney said body and organ donations are a multi-billion-dollar business. Organ donations and transplants are regulated by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. However, the attorney noted that body donation, which differs, remains unregulated.
Where did the heads come from?
The heads or the property of an organization known as Science Care, which runs a no-cost program for people who want to donate their bodies to science, providing a link to medical research and education projects. The company pays the cost of the expenses associated with donors, which provides cremation at no cost. The company has a facility in Aurora, Colorado, and corporate headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona, plus a California and Texas facility.
Police seeking the public’s help
So far, police have not identified a suspect or motivation for the crime. They are seeking the public’s help with any information that might identify the suspect(s) responsible or anyone that knows the whereabouts of the remains. Anyone with any information is urged to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers (720) 913-STOP (7867).
