Officers from several departments were conducting an investigation in Northeast Park Wednesday afternoon. [Photo by Michael Berry]

Updated:

The Kewanee Police are reporting that at 3:02 p.m. on Wednesday, they were contacted by an employee of the Kewanee Park District of a discovery made at Northeast Park.

The employee reported that a company was in the process of emptying a restroom waste holding tank located at the north end of the park when during the process, workers discovered skeletal remains, including what appeared to be a human skull.

Officers responded to the scene and began an immediate investigation.

“At this time, the remains are being treated as if they are human pending further examination and confirmation,” the KPD said in a statement on Facebook.

The KPD confirmed that they are being assisted by the Henry County Sheriff’s Office, the Illinois State Police detectives and the ISP Crime Scene investigators and the Henry County Coroner’s Office.

“Investigators said they will work to determine whether the remains are human and will assist with identification and further analysis,” the post read.

Northeast Park will be closed throughout the evening. The Kewanee Park District will provide updates on its Facebook page as to when the park will reopen.

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Northeast Park in Kewanee was closed to the public Wednesday afternoon due to an “active police investigation” in the park, said Andrew Dwyer, executive director of the Kewanee Park District.

Dwyer said all youth sports practices had been cancelled for Wednesday evening. He referred any further questions to Kewanee police.

The police department posted this on their Facebook page Wednesday afternoon:

“There is an ongoing investigation taking place at Northeast Park. At this time, there is no threat to public safety.

“As a precaution, we ask that the public please avoid the area and respect any established perimeter so officers can safely conduct their work.

“We will share additional information as it becomes available. Thank you for your patience and cooperation.”

Officers from the Kewanee Police Department, Illinois State Police and the Henry County Sheriff’s Department were in the park.

Entrances to Northeast Park, including this one from 11th Street, were closed Wednesday afternoon.

Spectators outside the park said they had heard that human remains had been found in or near the park. The Kewanee Voice could not confirm that report as of Wednesday afternoon.

This story will be updated when more information becomes available.