Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the ongoing investigation into the recovery of human bones located at a residential home in Teaneck during an exterior renovation project.
The investigation is being conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Robert Anzilotti, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office under the direction of Sheriff Anthony Cureton, the Teaneck Police Department under the direction of Chief Glenn M. O’Reilly, and the New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Sciences under the direction of Colonel Patrick J. Callahan.
Officials say on Wednesday, February 19, the Teaneck Police Department was alerted to potential human remains during excavation at 139 Van Arsdale Place.
Upon further investigation, several bones were recovered and one in particular appeared to resemble a portion of a human skull.
The New Jersey State Anthropologist was also consulted and confirmed that the bones appeared to be human.
The excavation at the site was then halted and the scene was secured pending further investigation.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit, along with the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department Crime Scene Unit and Teaneck Police Department, coordinated with the New Jersey State Police Office of Forensic Science to continue the search today in an attempt to recover additional remains.
The remains recovered so far appear to be old, but an attempt to date them would be premature at this time.
Officials say the search of the scene is ongoing, as is the investigation regarding the origin of the bones.
Additional bones have been recovered.
At this time, no foul play is suspected and the current homeowners are not implicated in any way as to how the bones came to be on their property.
Prosecutor Musella would like to thank the New Jersey State Police, the Bergen County Sheriff’s Department, and the Teaneck Police Department for their assistance.