Police dig up backyard after report of human remains buried on property, find remains of dog

MILWAUKEE -- Milwaukee police served a search warrant at a home near N. 24th Place and W. Glendale Avenue on Tuesday, Oct. 8 after receiving information that human remains were buried on the property. During an extensive search of the property and excavation of the yard, no human remains were recovered. MPD did recover the remains of a canine. Two people were arrested on charges related to animal cruelty.

Due to the debris located inside the property, it was deemed unfit for human habitation and boarded up.

The search warrant was served at the home shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday. Milwaukee police were joined by officers from the Wisconsin Department of Justice. They were seen filing in and out of a backyard with bags, shovels, and other tools -- including a pickax and metal detector.

Qualaundra Carr.

Milwaukee police offered an update around 5:15 p.m., saying no human remains were found. The arrests were announced around 6:30 p.m.

With investigators on scene for most of the day, there were plenty of questions from neighbors and others -- wondering what prompted the large response.

"I was terrified," said Qualaundra Carr. "I was terrified."

Carr pulled out her cellphone and started recording. Thousands watched her video on Facebook Live as the investigation unfolded at the home next door.

"They just started saying they were looking for these bodies, and I was like, 'Bodies?!'" said Carr. "That's real serious."

Crowds gathered as investigators sifted through garbage and dug in the backyard.

"I heard a lot of stuff," said a neighbor. "I heard animals, people, I really don't know, and I won't know until the police give their report."

Neighbors told FOX6 News they complained to the city about this home just last week -- because of piles of trash in the backyard causing a stench and rodent problems.

Police presence near N. 24th Place and W. Glendale Avenue, Milwaukee

"It's concerning because you don't know what to think," said Charlene Jackson, neighbor.

Several neighbors said there were dogs at the residence.

"We was always scared to come in the backyard so we never came back here because the pits, they'd get loose," said Carr. "They'd jump the fence, so we wouldn't come out."

After the crowds dispersed, neighbors said they still felt unsettled.

"I know it was a big scare of us," said Carr. "A big scare. I'm still shook up."