Chelsea, Mich. — Police in southeastern Michigan are investigating after a human skull was discovered among donated items at a Goodwill store, prompting an unusual and ongoing inquiry into how the remains ended up at the thrift store.
The discovery was made Jan. 26 at the Goodwill donation center in Chelsea, located in Washtenaw County. According to the Chelsea Police Department, employees were sorting through donated goods when they found what appeared to be a human skull wrapped inside a shirt.
Officers responded to the scene and confirmed the remains were likely human. Police said the skull did not show any obvious signs of trauma or damage at the time it was found.
“This is not something our staff expected to encounter,” police said in a statement. “We are treating the situation seriously and following appropriate procedures to determine the origin of the remains.”
The skull was initially turned over to the Washtenaw County Medical Examiner’s Office and later sent to the University of Michigan’s Anthropology Department for further analysis. Authorities said the examination could take up to 90 days, as specialists work to determine the age of the remains and whether they may be connected to a historical or modern case.
Investigators have also released surveillance images of a woman believed to have dropped off the donation, asking for the public’s help in identifying her. Police emphasized that they do not believe the donation was made with malicious intent, but say they are seeking to speak with the woman to better understand how the skull came to be included with the donated items.
“At this time, we are not alleging criminal activity,” police said. “We simply want to clarify the circumstances surrounding the donation.”
Goodwill officials said they are cooperating fully with law enforcement and thanked employees for promptly reporting the discovery.
Community reaction has ranged from surprise to concern, with many residents expressing disbelief that human remains could end up at a donation center. Police reiterated that investigations involving human remains are not uncommon and that experts will help determine whether the skull may have been part of an old medical collection, teaching materials, or another lawful possession before ending up at the store.
Anyone with information that may help identify the individual involved or provide additional context is asked to contact the Chelsea Police Department.
The investigation remains ongoing.
