Human body parts found in Central District recycling bin

SEATTLE, Wash. — UPDATE: Police said a suspect was arrested Monday, April 11, in the death of the Renton mother. Follow the link to read the full update.

ORIGINAL STORY: Seattle homicide detectives are investigating after human body parts were found in a recycling bin behind a home in the Central District neighborhood of Seattle.

The human remains were packaged and dumped in the bin near the 1600 block of 21st Avenue, Seattle police said.

David Peterson was sitting on the porch of the house he moved into a month ago.

"A lot of feelings like coming and they hit you at once," he said.

Peterson said he was surprised when he learned about the horrific find just a few doors down.

"I move to this quiet area and I'm enjoying the calmness of it all and then this happens," he said.

It is troubling, too, to neighbor Alemu Kassa.

"Human remains?" asked Kassa. "That's shocking, you know.  I don't know.  Used to be a nice neighborhood."

A neighbor made the horrifying discovery at about 4 p.m. Saturday.

He had returned from an out of town trip when he spotted something disturbing inside his recycling bin.  He asked another neighbor to verify what he was seeing and they called 911.

Seattle police confirmed they found human remains.

"They were packaged and put into the recycling bin," said Detective Patrick Michaud.

Michaud would not describe the packaging. He said they believe the remains were dropped off here.  All of it rare anywhere in Seattle.

"Yeah, we don't find bodies in recycling bins every day in Seattle, thankfully," said Michaud.

Just before 5 p.m. Sunday, a Seattle police officer was still canvassing the neighborhood, trying to find someone with information that will help them figure out who died and why.

Neighbors are seeking some solace.

"It probably didn't happen in this neighborhood," said Susan Shi, who moved into the neighborhood last week.  "So I was a little relieved. But it's just a very horrifying incident."

The remains have been turned over to the King County Medical Examiner.  It could take some time before there is a positive identification.

So Seattle police want the public's help.  Anyone with additional information about this case is asked to call the Seattle Police Department violent crimes tip line at  (206) 233-5000.

Cox Media Group