After receiving a tip on Tuesday, Philadelphia crime scene investigators started digging for human remains in connection with a 13-year-old cold case.
“When I came over here, I saw the white suits,” said Saed Burkett, who lives nearby. “I know what they are for.”
Officers were spotted along the railroad tracks near 7th Street and Glenwood Avenue in North Philadelphia, hoping to find the remains of 42-year-old Reynaldo Torres, who disappeared in 2012.
Action News has learned that bones were discovered at the site on Tuesday, but will have to undergo DNA testing to confirm whether they are connected to Torres.
In 2013, several months after his disappearance, Torres’ jawbone was discovered in a park near 5th and Westmoreland streets, which is about a quarter of a mile from Tuesday’s discovery.
The case has long-time residents concerned.
“I’m very shocked to see something like this happen here in this neighborhood,” said Angelisse Vazquez.
The disappearance of Torres is part of a twisted tale of murders and a disgraced Philadelphia homicide detective, Ronald Dove. Police said he may have had information on Torres and several homicides, but did not disclose it to the department.
Dove was romantically involved with Erica Sanchez, who was accused of killing her boyfriend in Kensington.
Dove later pleaded guilty to helping her escape to New York, and ditch her car. However, she was not implicated in the disappearance of Torres.
There’s no word on how long the DNA testing will take.