Editor’s note: This article, originally published at 5:42 p.m. on March 12, 2025, was updated at 5:15 p.m. on March 14, 2025, to include a statement from the Maryland-National Capital Park Police Department.
Montgomery County police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a person whose remains were found in Rock Creek Regional Park at the beginning of March, according to a Wednesday police press release.
The remains and clothing collected at the scene were sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore, which analyzed the items and determined the bones belonged to a Hispanic male in his late teens who stood 5 feet, 5 inches tall.
According to police, a hiker discovered a human skull on March 1 and called 911. The Maryland-National Capital Park Police and county police responded to the wooded area and found additional human bones. Several pieces of clothing including a winter hat, jacket and pants were found, but no identification.
Police shared images on social media of the clothing the person had been wearing.
Police did not specify the area of the park in which the remains and clothing were found beyond saying it was within the county.
On Friday the Maryland-National Capital Park Police released a statement that said that due to the ongoing investigation by county police, information regarding the location of the remains would not be released “to preserve the integrity of the area.”
“We understand the public’s concern regarding the case; however, we are unable to comment further on the ongoing investigation being handled by another jurisdiction,” the statement said. “We want to reassure the community that there is no information at this time that suggests any immediate danger to public safety.”
The department noted that Park Police officers regularly patrol parks in vehicles, on foot, motorcycles, ATVs and by horseback, and encouraged park visitors to “continue enjoying Rock Creek Regional Park and Montgomery Parks as they normally would.”
Visitors who visit the parks can contact Park Police at 301-949-8010 for assistance or 911 for emergencies, the statement said.
County police are asking anyone with information that may help identify the person or anyone who may recognize the clothing as belonging to someone missing to call the department’s non-emergency phone number at 301-279-8000.
Anonymous tips can be submitted to the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County website or via phone at 866-411-8477. Tips with information that may lead to an arrest may be eligible for a reward up to $10,000.
