Two Young Girls Found Dead in Suitcases in East Cleveland Field, Police Seek Public’s Help

Two Young Girls Found Dead in Suitcases in East Cleveland Field, Police Seek Public’s Help

CLEVELAND, Ohio — A quiet stretch of Cleveland’s East Side became the center of a heartbreaking investigation Monday evening after the bodies of two young girls, believed to be homicide victims, were discovered in separate suitcases partially buried in shallow graves.

The grim discovery was made in a field near Ginn Academy, off East 162nd Street, according to Dorothy Todd, chief of the Cleveland Division of Police. Authorities said the suitcases were concealed beneath dirt and debris in an area not far from residential homes and a playground.

“It’s just a terrible, horrific situation,” Todd said during a Tuesday afternoon press conference.

Discovery Made by Local Resident

The investigation began shortly after a 911 call on the evening of Monday, March 2. Phillip Donaldson told reporters he was walking his dog near the fence line of Saranac Playground when the animal ran toward what appeared to be a partially buried suitcase.

Curious, Donaldson approached and unzipped the luggage — only to discover what he described as a human head inside. Shocked, he immediately contacted authorities.

Officers responded and confirmed the first suitcase contained a body. A second suitcase was located nearby, also partially buried. According to police, the girls’ remains were intact and had not been dismembered.

Donaldson later said he has been unable to sleep since the discovery.

Victims Not Yet Identified

Investigators estimate one girl was between 8½ and 13 years old, while the other was believed to be between 10½ and 14 years old. Both children are Black. Their identities have not yet been determined.

Police said there are currently no reports of missing children in the Cleveland area matching the girls’ descriptions. Authorities are now expanding their search to state and national databases in an effort to identify the victims.

It remains unclear how the girls died or how long their bodies had been buried. Todd noted that recent heavy snowfall may have concealed the graves for some time, complicating efforts to determine a timeline. However, investigators believe the suitcases had been there for “some time.”

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office has taken custody of the bodies. The official cause and manner of death are pending autopsy results.

Community in Shock

Residents in the area expressed fear and disbelief as news of the discovery spread.

Cheryl Young, who has lived across the street for 26 years, said she has never witnessed anything like this in her neighborhood.

“It’s shocking,” Young said. “Makes me a little bit afraid. It’s just frightening to think that something like that has happened that close to where you live.”

Young said she hopes investigators solve the crime quickly so residents can regain a sense of safety.

“I still live over here, and I got to live here,” she said. “I don’t want anything happen to me.”

Other neighbors speculated that the suitcases may have been hidden for an extended period, possibly obscured by significant snowfall over recent weeks.

Police Seeking Public’s Help

The Cleveland Division of Police Homicide Unit is actively investigating and is urging the public to come forward with any information. A 24-hour tip line has been established at 216-623-5464.

“This is a traumatic event for our officers, for the community,” Todd said. “This is just such a tragic incident, but we are trying to develop any leads we can. That’s why we are also asking for the community’s help.”

Todd emphasized that, at this time, police have no indication of an ongoing threat to public safety. However, she urged residents to review home surveillance footage for any suspicious activity — including individuals lingering in the area or vehicles that may have been parked nearby for unusual periods.

“We know that this didn’t just happen,” Todd said. “We still have to develop exactly when this happened.”

As investigators work to identify the victims and determine how they ended up buried in suitcases in a neighborhood field, the city waits for answers in a case that has left both officers and residents shaken.