Human remains were discovered inside a chimney at a primary school in New York on Tuesday, June 30, 2026. Maintenance staff at P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J Pranzo school in Glendale, Queens, found the body after investigating a foul odour. The school had already broken up for the summer, and no students or staff were present. The building was closed for a construction project, with contractors working on wiring and hot water heating systems.
Discovery and Response
The remains were found at approximately 9:00 a.m. local time. Police responded to a 911 call at 8:59 a.m. from the vicinity of 87 Street and 78 Avenue, within the 104th Precinct. Officers were informed that possible human remains had been discovered inside a chimney at the school. The New York Police Department (NYPD) confirmed that no students or school staff were inside the building at the time.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. Authorities are working to identify the corpse and are accounting for all contractors on site. It remains unclear how long the body had been in the chimney or how it got there. Footage of the school's exterior showed scaffolding erected near a round steel chimney.
Reactions and Investigation
New York City's Department of Education described the discovery as 'deeply upsetting and concerning.' An NYPD spokesperson stated: 'On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at approximately 0859 hours, police responded to a 911 call for possible human remains discovered in the vicinity of 87 Street and 78 Avenue, within the confines of the 104th Precinct. Upon arrival, officers were informed that possible human remains had been discovered inside a chimney at P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo School. There were no students or school staff inside the building at the time of the discovery. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death. The investigation remains ongoing.'
Metro has contacted NYC Public Schools for comment. The investigation is ongoing.
