Bone fragments found beneath former U of M campus morgue

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/01/2018 (2881 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Human remains have been found beneath a building on the University of Manitoba medical campus, but police said there is no sign of foul play.

The bones appear to be fragments of a human rib. They were found beneath the basement floor of a Bannatyne Avenue parkade that was a morgue and anatomy labs many decades ago.

“Three bone fragments that appear to be part of a rib — no skull,” U of M executive director of public affairs John Danakas said of the discovery.

Danakas said there are additional fragments, which might be from an animal.

The bone fragments were found during plumbing work being conducted beneath the parkade near Tecumseh Street on the faculty of health sciences campus.

“It hasn’t been a morgue for at least half a century,” Danakas said.

Danakas said regulations regarding disposals were quite different when the anatomy labs and morgue were operating.

“Given disposal protocols were different in the past, the discovery is not unexpected. All proper current protocols are being followed, which includes informing WPS. No foul play is suspected,” Danakas said.

“Digging can continue as planned in all areas with the understanding that if any additional bones are found, that we have to go through the same protocol.”

Winnipeg Const. Robert Carver said police are aware of the discovery, but it does not appear to be criminal matter. He added police would not release further information.

nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca