"It's just tragic, whoever it is... I do thank God it didn't happen when the kids were in school."
Incident Overview
On Tuesday morning, human remains were discovered inside the chimney of P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo in Glendale, Queens. A 911 call was received just before 9 a.m. after a custodian called an exterminator to investigate a foul odor, believing it to be pests. The exterminator found a shoe and then a foot, leading to the discovery.
Key Details
- The school had closed for the summer the previous Friday. No students or staff were present at the time.
- The building is closed for construction work this summer, with contractors primarily on site.
- Detectives plan to question contractors regarding any missing personnel.
- The remains have not yet been removed; the Medical Examiner's Office will determine identity and cause of death.
Official Statements
NYC Schools stated:
"This discovery is deeply upsetting and concerning, and we are making sure the right supports are in place for the entire school community while NYPD investigates. There were no students present this morning as the building is closed this summer for construction."
Additional Context
Neighbor Maggie Rosario commented:
"It's just tragic, whoever it is, whatever happened, it's just really sad. I do thank God it didn't happen when the kids were in school but summer camp starts next week."