Police sergeant on discovery of human bones in barbecue pit: 'It’s not our typical case'

Authorities are investigating the alleged discovery of skeletal remains inside a barbecue pit at a southeast Houston residence, per reports from Houston-based media outlets.

Houston CBS affiliate KHOU reported that a person working at the home on Peach Creek Drive on Tuesday made the discovery. 

Police later executed a search warrant to access the backyard, KHOU reported.

According to Houston Police Department (HPD) Sergeant William Dunn, KHOU reported, the case was a rarity.

“I would say this is pretty uncommon,” he told the station. “It’s not our typical case.”

Dunn added that the pit was large and custom-made and the remains found were supposedly that of a full adult, KHOU reported.

Dunn told Houston ABC affiliate KTRK that it was “a full skeleton with a skull.”

"I don't know if any bones are missing, but it appears to be a full skeleton," he said, the station reported.

Authorities interviewed the occupants of the residence in the 5200 block of Peach Creek Drive – a family with children – and everyone was accounted for, according to KTRK.

According to Houston NBC affiliate KPRC, investigators deemed the barbecue pit to not have been disturbed in a while.

Authorities told KPRC the investigation – which is classified as a death investigation – could be lengthy.

“Course, at this point, we don’t know race, sex and we don’t know how the body, if it is a human skeleton, how they died," HPD Lieutenant Larry Crowson said, the station reported. "Medical examiner’s unit and homicide will determine that.” 

As of press time, an autopsy was being conducted to determine who the remains belonged to and the circumstances of their death.