ST. LOUIS – Residents in a north St. Louis neighborhood are anxious after human remains were found inside a tote bag over the weekend.

Homicide detectives with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department were called to an overgrown lot in the 4900 block of Harney Avenue around 12:30 p.m. after officers discovered a woman’s body stuffed in a bag and abandoned.

Detectives, along with the Medical Examiner’s Office, have not identified the remains. Authorities would not disclose the state of the body. An autopsy is underway to determine an exact cause of death.

“It is incredibly alarming, and it is a concern given the circumstances of how this individual was found,” Mitch McCoy, SLMPD spokesman, said Monday afternoon.

The discovery has left neighbors stunned, especially those with young children living just steps away. One grandmother said she is grappling with shock and fear, unsure what brought such tragedy to their quiet streets.

“It is heartbreaking that an individual could be treated like that and left,” McCoy said.

Police emphasize that while this case is frightening, there is currently no evidence connecting it to bones found Thursday in the Wells-Goodfellow neighborhood, although both uncommon homicide discoveries for St. Louis officials.

“This is different. But we have to make sure we build that timeline because, at this point, we don’t know how she died,” McCoy said. “There are certainly a lot of questions we have as well.”

Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact the city’s Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371. Tipsters who would like to remain anonymous and be eligible for a cash reward can contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS. Only tips submitted to CrimeStoppers that lead to an arrest are eligible for the reward.