Community Corner

Body Found in Towamencin

Skeletal remains found by worker assisting with Turnpike expansion

The skeletal remains of an unidentified person were discovered Thursday morning in a wooded area in Kulpsville, near the Lansdale interchange of the Pennsylvania Turnpike's northeast extension.

The body, which appears to be that of a male, was found by a Turnpike worker who had walked into the wooded area to urinate, according to Sergeant Andrew Skelton of the Pennsylvania State Police.

Skelton said a handgun was found near the unburied body, which appeared to have been at the location for at least a year.

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The scene was "indicative of a suicide," Skelton said, but added that additional investigation would be necessary before a suicide could be confirmed.

The body was dressed in Guess jeans and a Ralph Lauren shirt, police said. The person appeared to have had extensive dental work and a condition that required chest surgery.

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Skelton described the wooded area as a location that had previously been used by people to abandon vehicles, and said the body could be that of a transient person.

The Montgomery County Coroner's Office has taken custody of the body and will be performing a more detailed examination.

Those with information on the possible identity of the remains are asked to call Trooper Barry Bertolet of the Pennsylvania State Police at 610-410-7844 or 610-584-1250.

Earlier story and updates below.

Update 12:35 p.m.: Officials from the Montgomery County Coroner's office have arrived at the scene. Personnel could be seen entering the secured area with a spade and what appeared to be a metal detector.

A police source who asked not to be named told Patch that a firearm was found near the remains.

Update 11:50 a.m.: Officials have determined that the remains are on Turnpike property, which puts the investigation under the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania State Police.

Initial story below.

The skeletal remains of an unidentified person were discovered Thursday in a wooded area off Sumneytown Pike in Kulpsville, near the Lansdale exit of the Pennsylvania Turnpike's northeast extension.

The remains were discovered by a workman assisting with the Turnpike's ongoing expansion.

Towamencin Police Department Chief Tim Dickinson said the skeletal remains "appeared to be human" and that police personnel had "secured the scene" around the body. The county coroner and county detectives had been notified and were expected to assist in the investigation, Dickinson said.

Officials were attempting to determine whether the remains were on property belonging to the Pennsylvania Turnpike, which would affect the case's jurisdiction. Members of the Towamencin Police Department were joined at the scene late Thursday morning by the Pennsylvania State Police.

Work on the Turnpike project was continuing around the secured area, which was located opposite the Sumneytown Pike entrance to the Lansdale toll plaza.

This is a developing story.


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