The human remains found in the backyard of an abandoned building in Connecticut were those of a 12-year-old girl, police said.
The grisly discovery was made on Wednesday outside a Waterbury residence along Clark Street, while officers were investigating a report of “suspicious behavior” on the property, according to the New Britain Police Department. On Friday, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the remains belonged to “an adolescent female,” the Hartford Courant reported.
Her cause of death was not provided.
“While we understand there are still many questions surrounding this case, it is crucial for us to allow the Medical Examiner’s Office to continue their work,” police said.
“Our Police Department has been working around the clock to piece together the information that has come forward to determine a timeline and an exact location of events leading up to our discovery earlier in the week.”
On Thursday, people brought candles, stuffed animals and pink balloons to the property, creating a makeshift memorial for the little girl who was found dead there. According the Courant, people standing outside were encouraging passersby to attend a balloon release and pay tribute to 12-year-old Jacqueline “Mimi” Torres.
Authorities have not confirmed the girl’s identity. An investigation into the matter is ongoing.
