Grainy image offers clue in suitcase body mystery

Police are seeking the public’s help in identifying a person of interest in a gruesome case involving a body found Wednesday in San Francisco chopped into pieces and stuffed into a suitcase, police said Friday.

The San Francisco medical examiner’s office said the body parts belonged to an unidentified light-skinned male. Officers found the suitcase containing the human remains on 11th Street between Mission and Market streets on Wednesday, police said.

Additional remains were found in a trashcan half a block away from the original scene. The San Francisco Police Department said that some of the body parts were missing, but declined to say which ones.

Officer Grace Gatpandan said:

“It was not a full body. … We can’t confirm what body parts have been found.”

Investigators will tap the DNA lab at the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Forensic Services for assistance in determining the identity of the decedent, according to the medical examiner.

Police described the person of interest in the case as a man with light complexion in his 50s or early 60s, roughly 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 8 inches tall, wearing a pinstripe baseball hat, a blue and orange jacket and light blue jeans. Police said he may be a transient.

The case remains under investigation and authorities are asking anyone with information about the death to call the San Francisco Police Department’s homicide unit at (415) 553-1145 or email [email protected]. Anonymous tips can be left at (415) 575-4444.

Bay City News

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