Human head and hands found in freezer of newly sold Colorado home sparks homicide investigation

MESA COUNTY, COLORADO: Mesa County Sheriff's Office launched a homicide investigation after a human head and hands were found in a freezer at a recently sold Colorado home.

The discovery was made on January 12 at a residence in Grand Junction's 2900 block of Pinyon Avenue after deputies responded to a call regarding a "suspicious incident" around 2.30 pm local time, according to the Mesa County Sheriff's Office, as reported by CBS News.

Extensive testing on the human remains is underway

In a statement, the sheriff's office noted that the human remains were found in a freezer located in the front yard of the property by people tasked to clean out the house. 

An autopsy conducted by the Mesa County Coroner's Office confirmed that the head and hands belong to a human, as told by the sheriff's office on January 18.

"At this time, we have no other definitive answers until further testing can be completed. These types of tests take a significant amount of time, and again, we ask for patience from the public as this investigation continues," added the sheriff's office in their statement. 

The authorities added that they hope to "positively identify the victim while remaining respectful of the victim and the victim's family."

Investigators believe there's no threat to the community

A spokesperson from the sheriff's office told ABC News on January 19 that the investigation remains active and no further information is being released at this time. They also believe that this is an isolated incident and that there is no threat to the community.

Notably, a similar event took place in San Diego as a body, later identified to be that of 81-year-old Mary Margaret Haxby-Jones, was discovered in a chest freezer at a house in December 2023. 

Investigators believe that Haxby-Jones, who was missing for nine years, once lived at the house in the Allied Gardens neighborhood where her body was found.