Body found in trash can near community center in West Philadelphia

Thursday, January 30, 2025
Body found in trash can near community center in West Philadelphia
A body was found inside a trash can on Thursday morning in West Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- A body was found inside a trash can on Thursday morning in West Philadelphia.

The Action Cam was at the scene in the 700 block of N. 47th Street by the Lucien E. Blackwell Community Center.

Police were called there at 9:42 a.m. after the body was discovered.

"We need to do better," said Anthony Clark, who works in the area and says he spoke with the worker who discovered the body.

"He saw that it was a trash can that wasn't supposed to be there and he opened it and it was a dead body, and I'm like, 'Wait, what?'" said Clark.

The discovery launched a homicide investigation. Detectives set up crime tape around Blackwell Park and loaded the whole trash can, with the body still inside, to go to the medical examiner's office.

Investigators are looking at surveillance video trying to pinpoint when the trash can was dumped here and who could be responsible.

The park, which is Philadelphia Housing Authority property, is next to Blackwell Community Center and across from Parkway West High School. It's surrounded by a neighborhood where children often play.

"It's sad. Could have been one of my children," said Baseemah Fitzhugh.

Neighbors say their hearts go out to the family as police try to figure out what happened.

"That's someone's daughter, somebody's mom probably. Somebody's niece," said Clark

Neighbors say they believe the body looked like that of a young woman. Police have not said an age or sex of the victim. Investigators say they're waiting to learn more from the medical examiner.

Anyone with information is asked to call or text Philadelphia police at 215-686-TIPS (8477).

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