HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — There was a horrifying discovery that is now a case of whodunnit on Sunday. A burning body was discovered alongside a road in Luzerne County.
Hazleton City and Pennsylvania State Police vehicles filled the 100 block of Muir Avenue Sunday afternoon as officers served a search warrant on one side of a double-block home.
A neighbor tells 28/22 News she heard a series of loud bangs as police forced their way into the home.
"Anytime we are going into a house that we do not know the factors behind who's inside of it, what's going on, and because of the nature of this crime, they always are called in as a precautionary setup," Hazleton City Police Department Public Information Officer Jessica Surkin stated.
The search came in connection with what someone spotted hours earlier, just after 7:00 a.m.
"A passerby was driving on Club 40 Road in the area of East Broad Street, saw what appeared to be a mannequin on fire. The fire department was dispatched to put the fire out. Upon arrival, they realized that it was not a mannequin but it was human remains," Surkin explained.
Back on Muir Avenue, police made their way in and out of the home, collecting evidence and removing two dogs from inside.
Search warrant served, Hazleton Police investigating burned body
Another neighbor we spoke with, who did not want to be interviewed, says he and his family live on the other side of the house that was searched.
He says they came back from the grocery store to find police searching the house, who then told him he could not go to his home until they were done.
State police soon took over the investigation that Hazleton City Police started.
"Whatever's going on at this house here that I am unaware of, what it is, but I do know that it is connected with the crime on Club 40 Road," Surkin added.
While so many neighbors have questions about the case, police have a word of caution for Hazleton residents.
"We ask the public not to believe anything that they see or hear on Facebook or social media unless it's coming directly from us," Surkin said.
Hazleton police are urging anyone, especially those living on Muir Avenue or near Club 40 Road, to report anything they may have seen or heard on Sunday.
Anyone in the area with a doorbell camera is asked to provide that footage to police as well.
