UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP, PA — Pennsylvania State Police say what hikers initially believed to be human remains discovered in a Delaware County park turned out to be those of a deer.
Upper Providence Township Police received a 911 call at approximately 12:30 p.m. Friday from two hikers who reported finding what they believed to be human remains near the intersection of Chapel Hill Road and Ridley Creek Road.
Upper Providence Police responded to the scene and requested assistance from the Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The Medical Examiner’s Office recovered the evidence and initially determined it to be human remains.
Pennsylvania State Police Troop K, Media Station, was notified and responded because the remains were recovered within Ridley Creek State Park.
On Sunday, members of the Pennsylvania State Police, Upper Providence Township Police Department, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Philadelphia Police Department’s K9 Unit began searching the area surrounding the discovered remains.
Law enforcement was assisted by volunteers from MIDSAR: Middle Creek Search & Rescue of Lancaster County.
At approximately 11:30 a.m. Sunday, the Delaware County Medical Examiner’s Office contacted police to report that after a more extensive examination, the remains were confirmed to be those of a deer, not a human.
The search of the area was completed by MIDSAR, where no additional remains were discovered.
The investigation is closed and all traffic detours have been reopened.
