Police are investigating the deaths of two unidentified young girls whose bodies were discovered inside separate suitcases on Monday, 2 March 2026.
According to a press release by the Cleveland Police, Chief Dorothy Todd shared that they responded to a call about a body inside a suitcase in East 162nd in Midland at about 6 p.m. Monday. The police then located the body, which was buried in a 'shallow grave' on the scene.
Police Confirm Gruesome Discovery
Upon searching for potential evidence, the police officers then found a second grave where they could clearly identify another suitcase. The suitcase was confirmed to have contained another girl's lifeless body.
The police confirmed both victims were black girls, one is believed to be about 8.5 to 13 years old, and the second victim is about 10 to 14 years old.
The cause of death has yet to be determined, but the bodies of the children have been sent to the medical examiner's office pending investigation. 'It was some time, so it's not just something that was recent,' Todd said, emphasising that the police don't have information on how long the bodies have been at the location.
Chief Todd said, 'The caller stated they had found what appeared to be a body inside a suitcase at this location,' describing the caller as a resident of the area who was taking his dog for a walk outside, per a report by People. The location was a field in a residential neighbourhood near Ginn Academy, a local school, according to Chief Todd.
The Chief of Cleveland Police also said they have checked against the database for missing children, and no matches have been found so far. She described it as a 'tragic incident,' and a 'terrible, horrific situation,' and said that officials are closely investigating to find leads.
The bodies of two young girls, suspected to be homicide victims, were found buried in separate suitcases Monday evening in Cleveland, Ohio.
— WGN TV News (@WGNNews) March 4, 2026
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A Priority Investigation: Police Urge Public to Help
In the press release, Chief Todd urged the public to coordinate with law enforcement. She said, 'This is a traumatic event for our officers, for the community. This is just such a tragic incident, but we are trying to develop any leads we can. That's why we are also asking for the community's help.'
She also said, 'We know that this didn't just happen. We still have to develop exactly when this happened. We don't have any indication this is a clear threat to public safety,' emphasising that a clear understanding of what transpired leading to the girls' deaths still needs to be established.
'This is a priority investigation,' said the Chief.
She also called out to the community to come forward if they had seen anything suspicious. She said to contact the authorities if they've seen anything that's 'out of the ordinary,' such as a person who may have spent a significant amount of time around the area where the suitcases were located.
Staying Vigilant
The chief also urged the community to be cautious in their neighbourhoods and to stay alert for suspicious actions or people. The local police are working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Department of Children and Family Services, and all of the federal, state, and local partners.
Phillip Donaldson, the man who found the suitcase, shared his recollection of finding what was later revealed to have contained a dead girl's body. He explained that his dog had stumbled upon the suitcase, which was partially buried, when it ran towards the Saranac Playground's fence.
Donaldson, who then went to probe, unzipped the suitcase, instantly discovering a girl's head, prompting him to call the police, Fox 8 shared. Donaldson said he had been unable to sleep since the disturbing incident.
The Cleveland Police is asking anyone who may have information to contact the Cleveland Division of Police Homicide Unit at 216-623-5464.
