Two Young Girls Found Dead in Suitcases in Cleveland

Police say the bodies were discovered in shallow graves in a residential neighborhood.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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The bodies of two young girls, believed to be between 8-13 and 10-14 years old, were found stuffed inside suitcases in shallow graves in a Cleveland, Ohio neighborhood on Monday evening. Police say there are no active missing persons reports matching the victims, and the causes of death are still unknown.

Why it matters

This tragic discovery has shocked the local community and raised urgent questions about the safety of children in the area. The lack of identified victims and unclear circumstances surrounding their deaths have left residents on edge and authorities scrambling to uncover any leads.

The details

A person walking their dog near East 162nd Street and Midland Avenue found what appeared to be a body inside a suitcase around 6 p.m. on Monday. When police responded, they found one of the bodies stuffed in a suitcase in a shallow grave. A second shallow grave with another suitcase containing a body was later discovered in the same residential area near Ginn Academy.

  • The bodies were found on Monday evening around 6 p.m.

The players

Dorothy Todd

The Cleveland Police Chief who held a press conference about the discovery of the bodies.

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What they’re saying

“This is a priority. This is a traumatic event for our officers, for the community, and this is just such a tragic incident, but we are trying to develop any leads we can.”

— Dorothy Todd, Cleveland Police Chief (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office will work to identify the victims and determine the causes of death. Police are appealing to the public for any information that could help their investigation.

The takeaway

This disturbing discovery has shaken the Cleveland community and underscores the urgent need for greater child safety measures and vigilance to prevent such tragedies. Authorities are racing to uncover any clues that could lead to the perpetrator and provide closure for the victims' families.