At a long-abandoned building that was once the site of Milwaukee’s Genesis Missionary Baptist Church, a “mostly skeletonized” body was discovered earlier this month. YouTube vlogger Matthew Nunez, who had been filming deserted structures in the area, called police after finding the human remains on August 10.
Investigators are now asking for the public’s help in identifying the individual. And neighbors are urging community leaders to prevent future tragedies and make good use of empty church buildings.
Authorities Seek Help Identifying Human Remains
According to investigators, the body is of a 5-foot, 9-inch African American man. He had been wearing multiple layers of clothes, including two jackets. No weapons, drugs, or injuries were evident. The medical examiner’s office has been unable to pinpoint a time of death.
Although most of the man’s body was mummified, investigators were able to identify several tattoos, including the word “KING” & the letters “SAVA.” No matches have yet been made with missing-persons or tattoo databases.
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The man was also wearing a red allergy alert bracelet and five rings. Authorities have shared photos of the jewelry, hoping to secure some leads on the man’s identification.
Although the YouTuber found a cellphone in the building, investigators determined that it belonged to someone who is still alive.
“We’d like to be able to provide some type of closure to that family that we have here,” says Amy Michalak, lead forensic investigator at the Milwaukee County Medical Examiner’s Office. “We have found their loved one.”
Anyone with information about the individual is asked to call the ME at (414) 223-1200 or local police at (414) 935-7360.
Neighbor: Use Old Buildings to ‘Benefit Our Community’
The building, located in Milwaukee’s Harambee neighborhood, was zoned for multiple use. The church occupied the ground floor, while the second floor apparently contained bedrooms or apartments. Neighbors say the building had been abandoned for about 15 years.
Investigators describe the structure as “disgusting,” unsafe, and in an “extreme state of disrepair.” The building’s walls and ceiling were reportedly crumbling, and garbage was scattered throughout the property.
