WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis. (WSAU) — If you enjoy a peaceful walk through the cemetary, you might want to be careful where you step.
A man walking through the Forest Hills Cemetery in Wisconsin Rapids Sunday found a human jaw bone. Cemetary officials told WAOW television that workers unearthed the bone while digging a new grave near an unmarked one. Most of the remains made it back into the ground, but for unknown reasons, the jaw bone was left exhumed. It was eventually carried about 30 feet away from the grave by an animal.
Police are certain it’s not a crime scene. Wisconsin Rapids Police Lt. Brian Krzykowski said, “It’s definitely an ancient find. The cemetery has been around since the 1800s. I imagine back in the day there was plenty of unmarked graves.”
Officials said the bone is believed to belong to an early settler of the area. They said in that era, persons who couldn’t afford their own funeral were often buried without markings.
Cemetery Manager Penny Egland said there is often no way to tell if an unmarked grave exists until they start to dig.
