Human remains found in packages mailed to schools

VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) said human remains were discovered in separate packages mailed to two local area schools Tuesday afternoon, but it remains unclear if the packages are related to the dismemberment of a Montreal Chinese student.

Addressing a press conference, Warren Lemcke, Deputy Chief of Investigation Division of VPD, said the first package containing what appeared to be a human hand was opened by a staff member at False Creek Elementary School shortly after 1 pm (2000 GMT) Tuesday. Another package containing what appeared to be a human foot was found by staff members at St. George's School later Tuesday afternoon.

"Vancouver Police and the BC Coroners Service have been called in to investigate. The remains will be examined by the coroner and there is no indication of an identity at this stage in the investigation," he said.

"The investigation will center on identifying the victim and from where the packages were mailed. Investigators will liaise with any outside police agencies as required," he said.

He said the VPD has spoken with police in Montreal, but it is not clear if the packages are connected to the killing of Montreal university student Jun Lin.

"The investigation is only a few hours old now, so I can't link it to anything right now," Lemcke said.

Lin was allegedly killed and dismembered by Canadian porn actor Luka Rocco Magnotta in Montreal in late May. Magnotta mailed his body parts to two of Canada's top political parties before fleeing to Europe, and was arrested by German police in Berlin on Monday.