UPDATE: Brantford police say 100-year-old human bones reported stolen from a Birkett Lane residence sometime between Monday and Thursday have been returned to the site. Investigators issued a media release shortly after noon on Friday saying the remains had been returned to the residence from where they were removed. Officers are speaking with parties who returned the bones to establish those responsible and reasons for the removal. A story published earlier on Friday is below.

Staff Report
BRANT NEWS

Brantford police say century-old human bones found in a Birkett Lane backyard on Nov. 18 were stolen sometime between Monday and Thursday.

Representatives from numerous agencies attended the burial site on Thursday and discovered that the bones had been removed without the knowledge of parties involved in an investigation into the find.

Following their discovery by a homeowner, a forensic anthropologist determined that the bones were in excess of 100 years old. As a result of the age of the bones, the discovery was not deemed a coroner’s case.

Prior to the theft, the bones were covered, secured and barriers were put in place to provide the Ministry of Consumer Services, the homeowner and other parties an opportunity to begin burial procedures.

Police continue to investigate the incident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt. Kristen Bell-Samson at 519-756-0113 ext. 2265.