Decaying human remains were found in the chimney of a public school in New York's Queens borough. Police said officials investigating a foul odor reached the remains on Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred at P.S. /I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo, a school serving elementary and middle grades, with police called to the scene shortly before 9:00 a.m. The New York City Medical Examiner's Office removed the body from the scene for examination and began investigating the cause of death.
How long the remains had been in the chimney and how they got there are not yet known. No students or staff were at the school at the time of the incident, as the school was on summer break and construction work was underway in the building.
Police are working to identify contractors who have been working at the school in recent days and to confirm that all workers are accounted for. According to city building records, permits had been issued for electrical work, hot water heating and other tasks at the school.
The New York City Department of Education described the discovery of the body as "extremely saddening and concerning."