Woman Discovers Body of Baby in Freezer While Clearing Out Late Mother’s Home: ‘It’s Like the Script of a Horror Movie’

A woman sorting through her late mother's belongings opened a chest freezer in a ground-floor storage area near a building's garage and found the remains of a baby, Cleveland.com reported. The discovery took place in Allariz, a town in northwestern Spain, according to EFE as cited by Cleveland.com. Spain's Civil Guard is investigating, and the case is being conducted under judicial secrecy, which limits what authorities can release publicly, Cleveland.com reported.

Early estimates indicate the pregnancy had reached about 32 to 34 weeks and that the death could have happened more than 20 years ago, Cleveland.com reported. Attack of the Fanboy said early police assessments placed the infant at roughly 32 to 34 weeks at the time of death and that officials believe the remains may have been inside the freezer for more than 20 years, according to La Región. Investigators have not publicly said how the baby ended up there or identified the parents, Cleveland.com reported.

Forensic specialists conducted an autopsy and collected samples as investigators work to identify the child and biological parents, Cleveland.com reported. Euronews reported that DNA samples were sent for testing. Authorities are also trying to determine whether the baby was born alive and what caused the death, Cleveland.com reported. Attack of the Fanboy said authorities hope the results will clarify whether the infant was born alive, whether death stemmed from natural causes, and whether any negligence was involved.

The baby's remains were buried in Allariz's municipal cemetery after the autopsy and collection of evidence, according to La Voz de Galicia as cited by Cleveland.com. Attack of the Fanboy said the infant was buried in a municipal cemetery on Thursday, November 5.

Residents were discussing the case as Allariz held its annual fall fair, and local reporting described neighbors as shocked and searching for answers, Cleveland.com reported. One resident told La Voz de Galicia, "It's like the script of a horror movie; it's unbelievable that something like this could happen," Attack of the Fanboy reported. The owner of a local café said, "We are all shocked and surprised," according to Attack of the Fanboy.