2 Young Girls Found Dead in Suitcases in Cleveland

Bodies of unidentified Black girls discovered in shallow graves

Mar. 4, 2026 at 2:30pm

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Two young Black girls were discovered dead inside suitcases buried in shallow graves on Cleveland's east side, and police say they don't yet know who they are—or how they died. A dog walker found the first body Monday evening near East 162nd Street and Midland Avenue, prompting a search that turned up a second suitcase nearby.

Why it matters

This disturbing discovery has left the Cleveland community shaken, raising urgent questions about the girls' identities, how they died, and who is responsible for this tragic crime.

The details

Police believe one girl was roughly 8 to 13 years old and the other 10 to 14. Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd said there are no clear signs yet of cause of death, no connection so far to local missing-child reports, and no timeline for how long the bodies were buried. The area where the bodies were found doesn't get much foot traffic.

  • The first body was found by a dog walker on Monday evening.
  • The second suitcase was discovered nearby during the subsequent search.

The players

Dorothy Todd

The Cleveland Police Chief.

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What they’re saying

“It's a terrible, horrific situation.”

— Dorothy Todd, Cleveland Police Chief

What’s next

Investigators have no suspects and are asking anyone with information to contact Cleveland homicide detectives or Crime Stoppers.

The takeaway

This tragic discovery has left the Cleveland community searching for answers and demanding justice for these young victims. The police investigation is ongoing, and the public's help is crucial in identifying the girls and finding those responsible.