The discovery came four days after classes ended, while the building was closed for summer construction.
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Human remains were discovered inside a chimney at P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo in Queens on Tuesday morning, prompting a police investigation. The school was closed for summer break and construction, and officials said no students or staff were inside the building when the remains were found.
The discovery immediately launched an investigation by the New York Police Department and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Authorities have not identified the deceased or determined the cause or manner of death. Investigators are also working to establish how the remains ended up inside the chimney and how long they may have been there.
Police said officers responded shortly before 9 a.m. after receiving a 911 call reporting possible human remains at the school. When officers arrived, they were directed to a chimney where the remains were located. The school had already closed for the summer after students finished the 2025-26 academic year on June 26. Because the building was not in use for classes, no children or school employees were present during the discovery. The incident quickly drew investigators and medical examiner personnel to the campus as authorities secured the scene and began documenting evidence. Officials have not said who first noticed the remains or whether the discovery occurred during scheduled construction or maintenance work.
New York City Public Schools described the discovery as “deeply upsetting and concerning” and said support would be available for members of the school community. The agency emphasized that the building had already been closed for summer construction when the remains were found. City records show permits for repairs involving hot water heating systems, electrical wiring and other building work. Investigators have not announced whether those projects directly led to the discovery. Police have also not indicated whether foul play is suspected, and they have released no information about the age, sex or identity of the deceased. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will perform examinations to determine both identity and cause of death before investigators can better understand what occurred.
P.S./I.S. 113 Anthony J. Pranzo serves approximately 750 students from prekindergarten through eighth grade in the Queens borough of New York City. The unusual location of the remains has raised numerous unanswered questions, including how access to the chimney was gained and whether the death occurred recently or much earlier. Investigators routinely examine physical evidence, building access points, maintenance records and missing-person reports in cases where unidentified human remains are discovered. Authorities have not publicly connected this investigation to any known missing-person case, nor have they indicated whether the remains had been concealed intentionally or whether other circumstances may explain their presence.
The investigation remains in its early stages. The Medical Examiner’s Office is expected to conduct forensic testing that could include dental comparisons, DNA analysis and other identification methods if necessary. Detectives will continue interviewing workers and others with knowledge of the building while reviewing surveillance footage, maintenance records and any available evidence. Officials have not announced a timetable for releasing additional findings or reopening areas affected by the investigation. Any determination regarding criminal charges would depend on the results of the forensic examination and the evidence collected during the investigation.
Neighbors and members of the school community were left with few answers Tuesday as investigators continued working inside the building. Officials have released only limited details while the investigation remains active, emphasizing that identifying the deceased and determining the circumstances surrounding the death are their immediate priorities. School officials said their focus remains on supporting families and staff affected by the unsettling discovery while allowing investigators to complete their work.
The investigation remains active, with authorities awaiting findings from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Additional information, including the person’s identity and cause of death, is expected after forensic examinations are completed.