Mpls. police want public's help to learn more about partly covered body found in woods

As authorities on Monday awaited autopsy results on unidentified remains found Sunday in woods south of Lake Nokomis, Minneapolis police are encouraging anyone with a missing loved one to contact them.

Police said a man walking his dog in Solomon Park was led by his pet about 40 yards into the woods, where he saw the partially-buried body late Sunday morning.

Sgt. Catherine Michal said investigators with the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Minneapolis Police Department needed roughly 12 hours to remove the remains and collect other evidence from the scene, located just north of Hwy. 62 and west of Cedar Avenue S., close to Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Michal declined to address how long the remains might have been in that location, but did say "they were all contained in one area."

The body was partly covered with more than just any leaves, debris or branches that could have fallen on it, Michal said.

For now, Michal added, "the next step for us is waiting for the medical examiner's office to do the autopsy," which should reveal the circumstances of the death, when it occurred and the person's age, gender and identity.

In the meantime, "we'd really like anyone with any information to come forward" and contact police.

Tips can be submitted to police at (612) 692-8477 or by text to 847411 (TIP411). Enter MPD, a space, and then the information. Texts are assigned a number, allowing the source of the information to remain anonymous.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482