Two Half-Sisters' Bodies Found in Suitcases in Cleveland

Cleveland police are investigating the deaths of two young Black girls, confirmed as half-sisters through DNA testing, after their bodies were found buried in suitcases in a shallow grave on the city's east side.

The remains were discovered on Monday evening around 6 p.m. in the Collinwood neighborhood near East 162nd Street and Midland Avenue, close to Ginn Academy and Saranac Playground. Phillip Donaldson, a local resident walking his dog, noticed the animal pawing at a mound of dirt that had been visible for at least a week. When he pulled up a partially buried suitcase, he found what appeared to be a human head inside and immediately called 911. Officers arrived at the scene and uncovered a second suitcase in a nearby shallow grave, containing the remains of the other girl.

Authorities estimate one girl was between 8 and 13 years old, while the other was between 10 and 14. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office conducted preliminary DNA relationship testing to verify their half-sibling connection but has not released a cause of death. Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd stated during a Tuesday news conference that the bodies had been at the location for some time,...