MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Memphis police were called to St. Jude’s campus Tuesday morning.
Police say a bone was found, and officers were called to investigate. Backhoe Wheel Loader
The medical examiner was brought in to determine if the bone is human.
St. Jude released the following statement on the find:
Crews performing routine excavation work Monday on the site of a future parking garage discovered possible human remains underneath a concrete slab of a former City of Memphis facility built in 1933. The site, which had been owned and used by the City from 1895 until ALSAC purchased it in 2018, was first used as the city stables and then as a garage that housed fueling, repair, and storage for vehicle and heavy equipment fleets. The site is adjacent to Winchester Park, which was formerly Winchester Cemetery. That cemetery was closed and relocated in the late 1800s.
Since the property was purchased, ALSAC and St. Jude have worked to improve it by completing significant environmental remediation, including removal of two large underground fuel tanks and the demolition of seven buildings on site.
As part of due diligence, we had already engaged with a professional archeological firm, which was on site monitoring the site work. The proper authorities have been contacted to ensure the potentially century-old remains are handled properly and treated with the utmost care.
There is evidence that may lead to the bone belonging to a former burial ground at the location.
The New Winchester Burying Ground was established at the site in 1828. It remained the city cemetery until 1847 but quickly deteriorated.
Police are not investigating as a homicide at this time.
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