A box of human heads intended for medical research has been stolen from a truck in Denver.
The theft occurred near 23rd and Syracuse Street in the city's Central Park neighborhood at approximately 11am on 3 March.
Police say someone broke into the truck and stole a dolly and the blue and white box, about 20 x 15 x 18 inches in size, which had the label 'exempt human specimen' on it.
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The contents were in the custody of Science Care, a body and body parts donation used to help improve scientific research and education.
Authorities are currently unsure if the thief was aware of what they were stealing and say that if someone finds that box thrown away somewhere they should call them.
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Talking to Fox21 local resident Isaac Fields called the situation shocking.
He said: “I guess I don’t see too many strange things happening around here usually, but you know you never know."
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Fields usually walks his dog, Margot, in the area the theft took place.
He said: “Wow! I would have been so terrified.”
Talking about the medical research, Fields continued: "Well, my wife actually does Ph.D. research at the University of Colorado Anschutz.
"So cadavers are definitely utilized in certain situations. And I'm assuming that was probably the case."
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Police have not yet arrested anyone in connection to this theft, but did confirm that an investigation into the bizarre crime is still active and ongoing.
Residents of the area say they have been left wondering whether the thief in question was targeting the human heads or simply grabbed the first item they saw.
There are also worries that if the heads are recovered they may no longer be able to be used in media research - especially if they have not been refrigerated.
Science Care has not yet released a statement in regards to this theft.
The area of Denver in which the theft occurred is considered by many to be a 'safe' neighbourhood, with a particularly low crime rate, leaving local residents feeling shaken that this could happen in their town.
Isobel Pankhurst