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DNA Confirms Cleveland Suitcase Victims Were Half-Sisters

Preliminary testing identified their relationship, prompting investigators to seek public tips to name the girls and trace who is responsible.

Overview

  • Police say a dog walker found the first partially buried suitcase Monday near East 162nd Street and Midland Avenue, and detectives soon uncovered a second suitcase in a nearby shallow grave by Ginn Academy.
  • The victims are unidentified Black juveniles estimated to be between 8 and 14 years old, and authorities said the bodies did not appear to be dismembered.
  • The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office has custody of the remains and has not yet determined the cause or time of death.
  • Cleveland police report no matching local missing-person cases, are checking databases statewide with state and federal partners, and note limited surveillance footage availability in the area.
  • Investigators have no suspects; a potential person of interest was questioned without charges, and anyone with information is urged to call the homicide unit at 216-623-5464 or Crime Stoppers at 216-252-7463.