Authorities found skulls and other body parts at the suspect’s home and workplace, prompting cross-border probes and forensic examinations.
In Budapest, Hungary, police arrested a 30-year-old man whom investigators suspect of collecting parts of human bodies, which he gathered from abandoned cemeteries and from his workplace at a hospital.
The arrest took place on June 17 after information from the National Bureau of Investigation of Hungary that body parts were kept at work and at home.
The man works as an orderly at a hospital, police say.
Details of the arrest and seizures
During a search of his residence, skulls, a complete lower limb and a hand were seized, as well as a reconstruction of a human face made from facial skin. Other bones were kept in a travel suitcase.
The police suspect that the man dug up graves both in Hungary and in Slovakia.
Fascinated by anatomy and pathology, and loves to dismember animals.
– Police
Also among the found materials was a heart stored in a jar; investigators are determining its origin – whether it is human or animal.
According to the interrogation data, the suspect confessed to collecting body parts and stated that he is drawn to such materials and that he could prepare meals from them.
The man is being held on suspicion of illegal handling of human bodies.
In a statement, the police noted that the suspect has an interest in anatomy and pathology and a tendency toward dismembering animals.
Computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, SIM cards and memory cards were also seized. All seized body parts will be examined by forensic experts, and the list of possible crimes may expand after determining the origin of each part.
The investigation continues, and police will report on further steps after receiving additional data from experts.