Police released this picture showing parts of a tattoo that was on the victim.
Another picture showing more of the tattoo.
A third picture showing another part of the tattoo.
STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (WJBK) -- A routine repair of the Oakland-Macomb Interceptor turned into anything but when workers discovered nearly 15 body parts in the sewer line in Sterling Heights caught up on a metal grate 50 feet below the area of 15 Mile just east of Maple Lane.
Deputy Macomb Public Works Commissioner Gene Schabath was on scene.
"They said it looked like it had been cut up some other place and just dumped."
Police believe the pieces were part of a torso and are now offering a major clue, what appears to be a very large tattoo. Investigators released photos showing fragments of the images hoping someone may recognize who it belongs to.
"I think it was [a] dragon or Japanese tattoos like koi fish or something like that," said tattoo artist Mark Somo.
We took the photos to the Tattoo Gallery in Sterling Heights where Somo took a look.
Many pieces are missing, but at first glance he thought Japanese or Chinese dragon, but as he tried to put the images together like a puzzle, he started to compare the tattoo to the Grim Reaper.
Whatever it is, he believed the tattoo artist will know, calling the body marking elaborate and unique.
There is no question police have quite a mystery on their hands. Right now it's not even clear where the parts may have been dumped before the current carried them to Sterling Heights. There are 100 manholes north and west of the 21 mile long interceptor that stretches from Oakland County to Macomb County.
"It's hard to say where they originated from, but as far as investigating it, the first thing you are going to look for is a missing person that you might be able to identify," said Sterling Heights Police Lieutenant Luke Riley.
All we know at this point is that the victim is white. The Macomb County medical examiner should have more information on Thursday.
If anyone has any information, they are asked to call Sterling Heights police.
Thursday, May 16 2013 7:58 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:58:47 GMT
35-year-old Sabrina Gianino was found dead inside her boyfriend's flat on Wayburn in Grosse Pointe Park just after midnight on Wednesday. Police are calling the death suspicious.
35-year-old Sabrina Gianino was found dead inside her boyfriend's flat on Wayburn in Grosse Pointe Park just after midnight on Wednesday. Police are calling the death suspicious.
Wednesday, May 15 2013 10:59 PM EDT2013-05-16 02:59:09 GMT
Warren police raided a pet store described as a little shop of horrors. The owner is not only accused of keeping animals in filthy conditions, but keeping them in a building without working utilities.
Warren police raided a pet store described as a little shop of horrors. The owner is not only accused of keeping animals in filthy conditions, but keeping them in a building without working utilities.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-05-15 03:01:56 GMT
We're told a woman from New York was attacked near the Majestic Theatre while trying to help someone in need. Sources say she was then carjacked, kidnapped, robbed and sexually assaulted before she escaped.
We're told a woman from New York was attacked near the Majestic Theatre while trying to help someone in need. Sources say she was then carjacked, kidnapped, robbed and sexually assaulted before she escaped.
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:03 PM EDT2013-05-20 02:03:31 GMT
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74 year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
A trip to Subway turned into a nightmare for an elderly Berkley couple Friday afternoon in Commerce Township. Oakland County Sheriffs say a man left his 74 year-old wife in the car, while he ran inside
Sunday, May 19 2013 9:08 PM EDT2013-05-20 01:08:52 GMT
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
It's National Boating Safety Week - a good time to learn about new boating safety regulations. Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham talked with Fox 2 about what boaters need to know.
Sunday, May 19 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-05-20 00:54:31 GMT
Four people were shot and injured Sunday outside a house on Lakepoint in Detroit. The shooter, in a gold truck, is still on the loose.
Four people were shot and injured Sunday outside a house on Lakepoint in Detroit. We're told a group of 10 people were drinking and partying outside the house when a gold truck rolled down the street and started firing.
Sunday, May 19 2013 1:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 17:52:35 GMT
Authorities have identified a 20-year-old man they've arrested in the firebombing of the suburban Detroit home of an heir to the Art Van Furniture business.
Authorities have identified a 20-year-old man they've arrested in the firebombing of the suburban Detroit home of an heir to the Art Van Furniture business.
Let It Rip Weekend: Doggy Insurance, Pit Bull Bans & $15 Minimum Wage
Sunday, May 19 2013 10:33 AM EDT2013-05-19 14:33:58 GMT
This time we're talking about a new requirement in Royal Oak that has some dog owners taking out $1 million insurance policies on their pooches. Plus, Waterford Township is considering repealing their
Should owners of dangerous dogs have to take out $1 million insurance policies? Are pit bull bans a good idea? Plus, should the minimum wage be raised to $15 an hour?
Sunday, May 19 2013 12:01 AM EDT2013-05-19 04:01:16 GMT
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
It was supposed to be their big night, but prom turned into a big headache for teens from a local high school. Police showed up to crack down on an unauthorized limo service.
Friday, May 17 2013 11:55 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:55:04 GMT
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said Don Graunstadt.
"We intend to build cars in North America for [the] North American market, build cars in Europe for the European market and build them in Asia for the Asian market," said the CEO of North American Operations for the electric car company.
WTXF-TV 330 Market Street Philadelphia, PA 19106-2796
Police released this picture showing parts of a tattoo that was on the victim.
Another picture showing more of the tattoo.
A third picture showing another part of the tattoo.
