Philadelphia police find 12-year-old boy dead in dumpster

In a devastating incident that has shocked the community, the Philadelphia Police Department recently revealed the distressing identity of a lifeless 12-year-old boy discovered in a dumpster. Tragically, the young boy appeared to have suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head, prompting the authorities to classify this case as a homicide.

During a press conference held last Thursday, Ernest Ransom, a staff inspector with the Philadelphia Police Department’s Homicide Unit, disclosed that investigators estimated the time of the boy’s demise to be between 24 and 36 hours before his body was uncovered. Remarkably, the boy had not been reported missing, adding a layer of mystery to this alarming incident.

Heartbreaking Discovery Unfolds

On the pivotal day of August 22, a Philadelphia Housing Authority employee inadvertently transported a dumpster to a housing facility in West Philadelphia. It wasn’t until the subsequent day that the same worker, en route to collect garbage, accidentally overturned the dumpster, revealing the boy’s tragic remains, including his head tightly wrapped in plastic wrap. The vital discovery was brought to the police’s attention through a radio call made by sanitation workers at the scene.

Immediate Response and Official Confirmation

Upon arriving at the distressing location, emergency medical personnel wasted no time in assessing the situation. At 10:26 am, medics regrettably declared the young male deceased, subsequently transporting his remains to the medical examiner’s office. Inspector Ransom further detailed that the container carrying the boy’s body had overturned during the journey, leading to this agonizing revelation.

Official Identification and Cause of Death

Philadelphia Police have officially identified the young victim as Hezekiah Bernard, the 12-year-old boy found lifeless within the dumpster last week. A comprehensive autopsy subsequently confirmed that he had tragically succumbed to a single gunshot wound inflicted upon the back of his head. Homicide Unit Commander Ernest Ransom, deeply moved by the brutal nature of this crime, passionately appeals to the public for assistance in capturing the perpetrators responsible for such an unfathomably heinous act.

Timeline of Events

According to investigators, the dumpster in question had been collected by a dedicated Philadelphia Housing Authority sanitation worker on August 22, eventually being transported by a truck to a PHA facility located in the 5000 block of Haverford Avenue. Tragically, the container remained there overnight. The following day, August 23, the same PHA employee inadvertently overturned the dumpster while it was being transported to Cherry Street for further trash collection. It was during this event that the lifeless body of Hezekiah Bernard was discovered, with his head wrapped in plastic.

Investigation and Call for Justice

Authorities suspect that Bernard had tragically succumbed to his injuries between 24 and 36 hours prior to the discovery of his body. Shocked and dismayed by this unspeakable crime, the Philadelphia Police Department, along with the Department of Human Services, has launched an extensive investigation into this heartrending case. With an unwavering commitment to bringing the individuals responsible to justice, Inspector Ransom emphasizes the urgent need for public assistance in solving this chilling crime.