A group of children from a summer camp uncovered human skeletal remains on Rawson Island in the Connecticut River, between Greenfield and Montague, Massachusetts, on August 23. The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office has confirmed this incident. 

During a midday exploration, the children, part of an environmental philosophy program run by Westhampton’s Biocitizen organization, were examining the river’s low water levels. It was during this examination that the skeletal remains were found.

Kurt Heidinger, Biocitizen’s executive director, shared that the initial discovery was made by a seven-year-old boy. Around two dozen children and staff were present during this routine summer activity. Heidinger initially surmised the remains might belong to a buck. However, a return visit to the location post-lunch break revealed a buried human skull beneath the sand.

After the discovery, an adult promptly informed the local police. Investigators, accompanied by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, were dispatched to the site to recover any additional remains. Currently, identification procedures for the remains are being overseen by the local medical examiner.

The ongoing investigation has involved multiple agencies. Laurie Loisel, representing the District Attorney’s Office, reaffirmed that the inquiry is still in progress. 

Following the discovery, the students created a modest shrine close to the Westfield River in Chesterfield as a gesture of respect for the unidentified individual.