At least 13 fetal remains found buried at construction site near Rzeszów, police investigate previous pathologist owner
A worker operating an excavator uncovered human remains on a construction site in Lutoryż, Poland, on 11 June 2026. Unofficial reports put the number of fetal remains at at least 13, and police are examining whether the previous owner, a pathologist, is connected.
Police in south-eastern Poland are investigating the discovery of multiple human fetal remains buried on a building plot in the village of Lutoryż, near Rzeszów. The find, made on the morning of 11 June 2026, has drawn a large law-enforcement response and a promise of more official information around noon on Friday.
Discovery and initial response
An excavator operator unearthed the first remains during earthworks for a new single-family housing estate on Thursday morning. After the police were called, dozens of officers, forensic technicians and a prosecutor arrived at the scene. The area was cordoned off with police tape and a blue evidence tent was set up as a careful excavation began, leading to the recovery of further remains. Later in the afternoon, operations were moved to the local parish cemetery.
- Excavator operator uncovers first human remains during construction work in Lutoryż.
- Police, forensic technicians and prosecutor arrive; site is secured and a blue evidence tent erected.
- Additional fetal remains discovered as careful excavation continues.
- Investigation activities moved to the local parish cemetery.
- Official police statement expected around noon; possible press conference.
Police officers under the supervision of a prosecutor are conducting operations in Lutoryż. For the sake of the ongoing activities, I will not provide more information today.
The pathologist connection
Several outlets, including Radio Eska and TVN24, have reported that the previous owner of the plot was a woman working as a pathologist. Investigators are considering the hypothesis that she may have buried material originating from her profession, though no formal link has been confirmed.
Investigation and next steps
A spokesperson for the Rzeszów municipal police said an official statement is expected around noon on Friday, with some sources indicating it may come earlier or in the afternoon. Earlier, TVN24 had confirmed unofficially that the remains were those of fetuses, but the exact count remains unverified. The prosecutor’s office will now work to establish how the remains came to be on the site and how long they had been in the ground.
Community shock
Residents of Lutoryż described a scene reminiscent of a crime investigation, with officers in white coveralls working on the narrow strip of land in front of a house. One elderly resident told reporters she saw only the forensic-suited officers and that nobody had explained what had happened.
I only saw officers in white overalls. They looked like technicians working at a crime scene. Nobody is telling us what happened.
