Human remains found off-campus
Emily Millirons
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: News
Less than a mile from campus, human remains and bones were discovered on Feb. 28.
Between St. Anthony and Hemler Road, a realtor, surveying the property for a possible residential development, came across the remains and called the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.
Sgt. Detective Miller of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office confirmed that human remains were found in this plot of land, which is approximately 50 yards wide.
He said it appears that a small grave was dug for the remains.
Also found in this "rural" area were animal remains and a great amount of debris, he said.
As of press time, the victim had not been confirmed.
However, multiple sources reported that the remains may be of Deysi Benitez, who was reported missing in March 2007, the same month that her four children and husband were found dead in their Frederick, Md. townhouse.
It was confirmed that her husband killed the children before taking his own life. Deysi Benitez, however, was never found.
"We still have a lot of work to do … [we're] working with forensic anthropologists [to identify the victim]," Miller said.
To reassure Mount students of their safety, Director of Public Safety, Barry Titler said, "From all indications it appears the remains … are the subject of the FCSO investigation [and] have no association with Mount St. Mary's University."
"As soon as we learned of the discovery, our Public Safety, Residence Life and the Human Resources offices went through our records to ensure that no students, staff or other members of the Mount community were unaccounted for," he said.
DNA testing to confirm the victim may take months to complete.
Between St. Anthony and Hemler Road, a realtor, surveying the property for a possible residential development, came across the remains and called the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.
Sgt. Detective Miller of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office confirmed that human remains were found in this plot of land, which is approximately 50 yards wide.
He said it appears that a small grave was dug for the remains.
Also found in this "rural" area were animal remains and a great amount of debris, he said.
As of press time, the victim had not been confirmed.
However, multiple sources reported that the remains may be of Deysi Benitez, who was reported missing in March 2007, the same month that her four children and husband were found dead in their Frederick, Md. townhouse.
It was confirmed that her husband killed the children before taking his own life. Deysi Benitez, however, was never found.
"We still have a lot of work to do … [we're] working with forensic anthropologists [to identify the victim]," Miller said.
To reassure Mount students of their safety, Director of Public Safety, Barry Titler said, "From all indications it appears the remains … are the subject of the FCSO investigation [and] have no association with Mount St. Mary's University."
"As soon as we learned of the discovery, our Public Safety, Residence Life and the Human Resources offices went through our records to ensure that no students, staff or other members of the Mount community were unaccounted for," he said.
DNA testing to confirm the victim may take months to complete.
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